Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $88,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $88,458/year (≈ $42.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $97,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.3% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, occupational therapy assistants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $88,458 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $74,332 for the same year. Salary variations in this profession reveal a range from $57,142 at the 10th percentile to $92,025 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differing compensation levels depending on work settings. The stark realities of post-Medicare cut conditions, especially in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), leave many questioning how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Spartanburg compared to outpatient rehabilitation and school districts. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys provide this compelling picture of the local market dynamics, which are influenced by factors such as setting and patient care demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,142 | $27.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,333 | $31.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,458 | $42.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,329 | $43.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,025 | $44.25 |
Median Salary Position
19.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,883 (2026 est.). At $88,458, the local median is 19% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Spartanburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $88,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,060 | +16.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +19.00% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $88,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.00% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 16.30% above the South Carolina state average of $76,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $88,458 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,152 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,510
2025 BLS Actual
$86,040
2026 Current Est.
$88,458
2019–2027 Growth
+43.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,943 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 35.5% from $63,510 (2019) to $86,040 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,433 (43.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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) | $57,142 – $66,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,333 – $88,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,458 – $90,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,329 – $92,025 |
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 Spartanburg
As of now, there are approximately 80 occupational therapy assistants employed in Spartanburg, SC, indicative of a relatively stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index in Spartanburg stands at 91.051, which is below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power despite salaries in this area. Among the highest paying settings for COTAs in Spartanburg are hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, which often offer more competitive pay compared to school district contracts and outpatient clinics. The discrepancy in salaries often arises due to productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting services in less acute settings. This has translated into a necessity for COTAs to maximize their earnings potential by seeking positions within hospitals or negotiating PRN roles that typically pay premiums for weekend work. It is vital for aspiring occupational therapy assistants to assess these facets of the job market as they chart their career path in Spartanburg.
More salary data for Spartanburg, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Spartanburg, SC in 2026?
Is Spartanburg, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Spartanburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Spartanburg?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Spartanburg?
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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 $86,040 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Spartanburg 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