Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $69,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $69,119/year (≈ $33.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants stands at $69,119 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332. The range of salaries for these professionals varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at around $51,786 and top earners reaching up to $87,108. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, allowing for a clearer understanding of local earning potential. Understanding this salary structure is crucial for current associates seeking to advance through the COTA-to-MOT bridge, as further education can enhance lifetime earnings and provide more employment opportunities within the growing field of occupational therapy in Wake Forest.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,786 | $24.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,885 | $28.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,119 | $33.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,749 | $36.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,108 | $41.87 |
Median Salary Position
7.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,322 (2026 est.). At $69,119, the local median is 7.01% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $69,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,101 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.01% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $69,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.01% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $70,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,119 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,845 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,197
2025 BLS Actual
$67,230
2026 Current Est.
$69,119
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,401 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,311 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,752 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,197 (2019) to $67,230 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,864 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $51,786 – $58,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,885 – $69,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,119 – $76,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,749 – $87,108 |
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 Wake Forest
Analyzing the local job market reveals a modest presence of nine occupational therapy assistants employed in Wake Forest, NC. The area's cost of living index at 93.6 indicates that housing and daily expenses are lower than the national average, which can positively impact take-home pay. The highest-paying positions often come from skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, whereas salaries in school districts or outpatient clinics may be lower. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and contract terms. Moreover, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has pressured salaries across various settings. For COTAs in Wake Forest aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors, negotiating contracts through AOTA resources, and potentially seeking overtime in skilled nursing or hospital settings could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Wake Forest, NC in 2026?
Is Wake Forest, NC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wake Forest?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Wake Forest?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Wake Forest?
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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 $67,230 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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