Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $36.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Aiken, SC runs $36.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,396 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,241 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, occupational therapy assistants can expect an hourly pay of $36.25, which slightly exceeds the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate is particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem workers, who often operate in a range of settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and through home health visits. For those just entering the field, hourly rates start at around $26.59, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $43.93. These figures are derived from annual salaries but translated into hourly terms to provide a clearer understanding of earnings in part-time or flexible employment situations.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.59 | $212.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.12 | $248.96 |
| Median (P50) | $36.25 | $290.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.41 | $315.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.93 | $351.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $36.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.25/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $75,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,501. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,450.03 | $6,283 | $75,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $870.02 | $3,770 | $45,241 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $580.01 | $2,513 | $30,161 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Aiken) | $36.25 |
| 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 Aiken, SC earn a median of $75,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.43% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $76,004.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.25/hr = $45,241/year (purchasing power: $49,444).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,402/year (purchasing power: $82,406).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Aiken grew 17.5% from $30.00/hr (2019) to $35.26/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.27/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 Aiken 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 Aiken
While full-time occupational therapy assistants in Aiken enjoy a stable career path, part-time workers on a 3-day/week schedule could take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. They might earn around $48,000 annually based on part-time hours, a notable difference from the potential full-time income. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Aiken typically ranges from $30 to $45 an hour, and travel COTA contracts can yield between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. However, shifts in reimbursement policies, such as the 15% Medicare cut that took effect in 2022, have affected pay in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Different employers vary in what they offer. Skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies may provide more benefits, which can influence hourly rate expectations. Occupational therapy assistants must also weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits versus more comprehensive compensation packages. Negotiating pay can be pivotal, especially in Aiken, where understanding the local market can guide COTAs towards favorable employment conditions.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Aiken in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Aiken?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Aiken paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Aiken?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Aiken?
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
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 Aiken. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aiken 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