Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in North Charleston, SC: $79,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in North Charleston, SC earns a median $79,560/year (≈ $38.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $86,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as an occupational therapy assistant in North Charleston, SC, can expect a median annual salary of $79,560. This figure demonstrates an attractive market for COTAs, particularly when compared to the national median of $74,332, indicating a local premium of 7.03%. The salary range for this role reflects the diversity of employment settings and experience levels, spanning from $52,779 at the 10th percentile to $98,284 at the 90th percentile. With local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, North Charleston presents a viable option for those in occupational therapy, especially as they consider building their careers through pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge which offers increased lifetime pay potential.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,779 | $25.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,517 | $33.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,853 | $41.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,284 | $47.25 |
Median Salary Position
7.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,505 (2026 est.). At $79,560, the local median is 7.03% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be above the median
How North Charleston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $79,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,061 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.03% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $79,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.03% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% above the South Carolina state average of $76,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $79,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,836
2025 BLS Actual
$77,385
2026 Current Est.
$79,560
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,836 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,367 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,385 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,795 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,836 (2019) to $77,385 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,795 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,959 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $52,779 – $69,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,517 – $79,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,560 – $86,853 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,853 – $98,284 |
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 North Charleston
Occupational therapy assistant pay in North Charleston SC is shaped by various factors, including a cost-of-living index of 91.5, which suggests that the dollar stretches further than in many urban areas. Currently, there are 22 occupational therapy assistants employed in the region, creating a compact job market that still holds promise. Higher pay is typically associated with skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings due to the intensity of care and productivity expectations. Additionally, differing contract structures—such as those for school districts versus year-round outpatient clinics—can create disparities in earnings. As the sector continues to navigate challenges like the continued impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, it is advisable for COTAs to seek positions in higher-paying environments or expand their skill sets to increase their attractiveness to potential employers.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in North Charleston, SC in 2026?
Is North Charleston, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in North Charleston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in North Charleston?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in North Charleston?
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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 $77,385 for occupational therapy assistantsin the North Charleston 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
Salary data for North Charleston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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