Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Durham, NC: $68,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Durham, NC earns a median $68,091/year (≈ $32.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $69,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Durham, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is set at $68,091 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $74,332. The salaries for this role in the area display a significant range, with entry-level positions starting around $49,195 and those at the higher end of the spectrum earning up to $86,792. This data, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and projected for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, reflects the continuous shifts in the occupational therapy field, particularly after the recent Medicare reimbursement cuts. These cuts have notably influenced pay structures in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, creating a distinct impact on how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Durham.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,195 | $23.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,504 | $27.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,091 | $32.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,616 | $38.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,792 | $41.73 |
Median Salary Position
8.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,597 (2026 est.). At $68,091, the local median is 8.4% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be above the median
How Durham Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Durham median: $68,091/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,125 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.40% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Durham, NC earn a median of $68,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.40% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $70,125.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,091 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,490
2025 BLS Actual
$66,230
2026 Current Est.
$68,091
2019–2027 Growth
+8.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 2.7% from $64,490 (2019) to $66,230 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,514 (8.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $49,195 – $56,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,504 – $68,091 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,091 – $79,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,616 – $86,792 |
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 Durham
In terms of employment dynamics, the Durham market currently employs 60 occupational therapy assistants, which positions this healthcare sector as relatively stable despite the pressures of recent policy changes. With a cost of living index of 97.572, professionals may find that their take-home purchasing power is more favorable compared to more expensive regions. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer the most competitive salaries, which are often higher than those found in school districts and skilled nursing facilities, especially in the wake of declining Medicare reimbursements. The disparity in earnings can also be attributed to productivity expectations and the nature of contractual work; positions in schools typically offer less flexibility than those in outpatient clinics or home health agencies. For COTAs looking to maximize their salaries, pursuing roles in higher-paying settings or considering overtime opportunities can be beneficial, as well as exploring pathways to advance from COTA to MOT for broader career options.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Durham, NC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Durham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Durham?
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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 $66,230 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Durham 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