Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $68,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $68,800/year (≈ $33.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $68,800 in 2026, reflecting a moderate difference compared to the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges for this role can vary significantly from $57,748 at the 10th percentile to $85,538 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, which indicate a diverse job market influenced by various healthcare settings. The post-Medicare cut realities have created distinct pay dynamics, as those working in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often find themselves earning less compared to their counterparts in hospital settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,748 | $27.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,681 | $30.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,800 | $33.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,347 | $36.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,538 | $41.12 |
Median Salary Position
7.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,790 (2026 est.). At $68,800, the local median is 7.44% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Myrtle Beach Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $68,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,023 | -9.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.44% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $68,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.44% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.50% below the South Carolina state average of $76,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,471 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,580
2025 BLS Actual
$66,920
2026 Current Est.
$68,800
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 14.2% from $58,580 (2019) to $66,920 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,154 (20.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $57,748 – $63,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,681 – $68,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,800 – $76,347 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,347 – $85,538 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Myrtle Beach
With approximately 40 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, Myrtle Beach's local job market reflects a healthy demand, supported by a cost-of-living index of 93.642, which suggests that salaries may stretch further in this coastal city. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer higher compensation, while school district contracts might provide more stability through year-round pay structures. The difference in salaries often stems from the varying productivity expectations across settings and the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts. To increase earning potential in Myrtle Beach, occupational therapy assistants may seek employment in higher-paying clinical environments, consider weekend or PRN opportunities, or pursue continued education pathways that enable transitions from COTA to MOT, ultimately elevating their qualifications in a competitive healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2026?
Is Myrtle Beach, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Myrtle Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Myrtle Beach?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Myrtle Beach?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $66,920 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov