OT Assistant Salary

Greenville vs Tega Cay: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Greenville, SC and Tega Cay, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$75,648
$36.37/hr
Tega Cay, SC
$70,147
$33.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCTega Cay, SC
Median Salary$75,648$70,147
Hourly Rate$36.37$33.72
Entry Level (P10)$53,513$54,115
25th Percentile$66,426$61,973
75th Percentile$78,372$74,394
Top Earner (P90)$82,978$81,031
Total Employed2404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($75,648) and Tega Cay ($70,147) occupational therapy assistant salaries.GreenvilleTega CayMedian Salary$75,648$70,147Entry Level (P10)$53,513$54,115Top Earner (P90)$82,978$81,031US Median $74,332

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tega Cay.

The salary gap between Greenville and Tega Cay is $5,501 (7.84%). Greenville's median is +1.77% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $29,465,Tega Cay spans $26,916. Greenville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$53,513
P25$66,426
Median$75,648
P75$78,372
P90 (Top)$82,978
Tega Cay
P10 (Entry)$54,115
P25$61,973
Median$70,147
P75$74,394
P90 (Top)$81,031

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($81,115 effective) pays 5.81% more than Tega Cay ($76,663 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $75,648
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $81,115
Tega Cay
Nominal: $70,147
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $76,663

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,648/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,978)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,115)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Tega Cay if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Greenville grew 5.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.3% growth in Tega Cay over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+5.8%

$69,530 (2019) → $73,580 (2025)

Tega Cay, SC

+26.3%

$54,027 (2024) → $68,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Greenville or Tega Cay?

Greenville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $75,648/year, compared to Tega Cay at $70,147/year — a difference of $5,501 (7.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Tega Cay?

Greenville occupational therapy assistants earn $36.37/hr while Tega Cay hygienists earn $33.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Tega Cay as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Tega Cay. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $81,115, Tega Cay = $76,663), job availability (240 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Greenville vs Tega Cay?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $53,513 in Greenville and $54,115 in Tega Cay. The Tega Cay area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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