Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Summerville, SC: $74,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Summerville, SC earns a median $74,445/year (≈ $35.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $81,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summerville, South Carolina, the projected median annual occupational therapy assistant salary for 2026 reaches $74,445, surpassing the national figure of $74,332 by a narrow margin. The compensation landscape shows a wide range with salaries spanning from $54,956 at the 10th percentile to $95,510 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost dynamics, which reflect the purchasing power in the Summerville area. The opportunities in this market can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, especially for those considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge programs that lead to increased pay and responsibilities in occupational therapy.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,956 | $26.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,437 | $30.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,445 | $35.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,677 | $40.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,510 | $45.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,554 (2026 est.). At $74,445, the local median is 0.15% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Summerville median: $74,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,042 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.15% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Summerville, SC earn a median of $74,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.15% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $76,042.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville 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.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $74,445 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,604
2025 BLS Actual
$72,410
2026 Current Est.
$74,445
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,604 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,036 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,112 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,337 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,537 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,604 (2019) to $72,410 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,537 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,933 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $54,956 – $64,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,437 – $74,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,445 – $83,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,677 – $95,510 |
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 Summerville
With just 12 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Summerville, the local job market reflects both challenges and opportunities. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, indicating a lower expense ratio compared to the national average, which can enhance the take-home pay of professionals in this field. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab typically offer the most competitive wages, while avenues like school district contracts may present lower compensation due to fixed contract terms. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations, shifts in Medicare reimbursement rates, and the impact of the 15% cut affecting OTA services instituted in 2022. For those in Summerville aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay, seeking employment in high-demand settings, pursuing ongoing education, and considering the timing of contract types can play a crucial role in financial outcomes.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Summerville, SC in 2026?
Is Summerville, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Summerville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Summerville?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Summerville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $72,410 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Summerville 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 Summerville 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