Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in High Point, NC: $75,201 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in High Point, NC earns a median $75,201/year (≈ $36.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $80,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in High Point, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,201 in 2026, reflecting a robust local job market amidst varying employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. With salary ranges extending from $53,907 at the lower ten percentile to $97,735 at the ninety percentile, pay can significantly differ depending on the facility type and individual experience levels. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, present a competitive compensation landscape, especially when compared to the national median of $74,332. However, the ongoing impacts of reductions in Medicare reimbursements present challenges in many settings, influencing both availability and pay for these essential healthcare professionals.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,907 | $25.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,058 | $30.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,201 | $36.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,968 | $40.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,735 | $46.98 |
Median Salary Position
1.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,828 (2026 est.). At $75,201, the local median is 1.17% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
High Point median: $75,201/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,085 | +7.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.17% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in High Point, NC earn a median of $75,201 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.17% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 7.30% above the North Carolina state average of $70,085.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,201 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,343 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,230
2025 BLS Actual
$73,146
2026 Current Est.
$75,201
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,452 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,002 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,794 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,146 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,201 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,230 (2019) to $73,146 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,085 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $53,907 – $64,058 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,058 – $75,201 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,201 – $84,968 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,968 – $97,735 |
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 High Point
As of now, High Point employs 23 occupational therapy assistants, which indicates a modest but stable presence in the job market. With a cost of living index of 93.6, just below the national average, professionals in this area can enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power despite the prevalent salary structure. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, which often allocate more resources compared to skilled nursing facilities, particularly following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts that have affected OTA roles since 2022. The variance in occupational therapy assistant pay in High Point NC hinges on several factors such as the type of setting, work hours including weekend and PRN shifts, and annual versus school-year contracts. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing opportunities in higher-paying environments and obtaining additional certifications or furthering education through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways can be beneficial strategies to navigate the local job market effectively.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $73,146 for occupational therapy assistantsin the High Point 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 High Point 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