Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $35.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Charlotte, NC runs $35.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,825 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,895 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to be $35.97 for 2026, slightly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This competitive pay can provide a solid living for those working part-time or per diem, which is common for occupational therapy assistants in diverse settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. The hourly earnings range from $28.88 at the 10th percentile to $39.15 at the 90th percentile, offering entry-level positions a fair start and experienced professionals the opportunity to earn a premium for their skills. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, emphasizing a favorable hourly wage for COTAs in the vibrant job market of Charlotte.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.88 | $231.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.95 | $255.63 |
| Median (P50) | $35.97 | $287.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.17 | $305.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.15 | $313.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $35.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.97/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $74,824 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,168. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,438.93 | $6,235 | $74,824 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $863.36 | $3,741 | $44,895 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $575.57 | $2,494 | $29,930 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Charlotte) | $35.97 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $74,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.70% above the North Carolina state average of $70,127.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.97/hr = $44,895/year (purchasing power: $46,118).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,824/year (purchasing power: $76,863).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Charlotte grew 12.3% from $31.16/hr (2019) to $34.99/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.98/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Charlotte
The opportunity for part-time employment as an occupational therapy assistant can lead to varying annual income profiles. For instance, if a COTA works three days a week, typically accounting for around 24 hours, their take-home could be significantly less than that of full-time counterparts—roughly translating to around $44,900 annually. Additionally, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Charlotte can range widely from $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the demands of the role and the type of facilities, such as skilled nursing facilities or outpatient clinics. Some choose lower-paying positions that offer health insurance benefits instead of higher hourly rates without coverage, highlighting a common trade-off in this field. For those considering agency or locum tenens roles, pay ranges between $1,100 to $1,700 weekly for travel contracts. Effective negotiation skills are pivotal for securing the best hourly rate, particularly for COTAs navigating the landscape of various employer types across Charlotte.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Charlotte in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Charlotte?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Charlotte paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Charlotte?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Charlotte?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Charlotte. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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