Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Matthews, NC: $69,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Matthews, NC earns a median $69,300/year (≈ $33.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $74,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Matthews, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $69,300 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with figures from $50,171 at the 10th percentile to $81,112 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations. With the option to transition from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), there is a potential to enhance lifetime earnings. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the job market in Matthews offers competitive opportunities, particularly for those looking to advance their credentials and increase their pay.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,171 | $24.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,223 | $28.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,591 | $35.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,112 | $39.00 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,941 (2026 est.). At $69,300, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be above the median
How Matthews Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Matthews median: $69,300/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,071 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.77% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Matthews, NC earn a median of $69,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,300 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,038 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,346
2025 BLS Actual
$67,406
2026 Current Est.
$69,300
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,901 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,474 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,917 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,346 (2019) to $67,406 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,901 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $50,171 – $59,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,223 – $69,300 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,300 – $73,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,591 – $81,112 |
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 Matthews
In Matthews, the occupational therapy assistant job market employs around eight practitioners, contributing to the community's healthcare infrastructure. The cost of living index in the area is 93.6, indicating that residents experience affordable living conditions compared to the national average, which can enhance their overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals typically offer higher compensation compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts, influenced by the demands placed on staff in different settings. Factors affecting salary variation include productivity expectations and contract terms, such as the school-year versus year-round employment and the implications of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize earning potential, occupational therapy assistants in Matthews can consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment in higher-paying facilities, or negotiating contracts that reflect the current economic conditions in the field.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $67,406 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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