Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rock Hill, SC: $75,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rock Hill, SC earns a median $75,728/year (≈ $36.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rock Hill's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $82,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rock Hill, SC, can expect a median annual salary of $75,728 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $74,332 by 1.88%. The salary range within the area is noteworthy, with figures spanning from $51,600 at the lower tenth percentile to $96,975 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimations are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, which is lower than the national average. This can increase the overall value of the salaries when considering the area’s economic conditions. With a growing demand in the job market, now is an excellent time to consider a career as an occupational therapy assistant in Rock Hill.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,439 | $31.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,728 | $36.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,011 | $40.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,975 | $46.62 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Hill
In Rock Hill, SC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,375 (2026 est.). At $75,728, the local median is 1.88% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Hill: You'd be above the median
How Rock Hill Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rock Hill median: $75,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $76,032 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.88% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $75,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $76,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Hill has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rock Hill, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $75,728 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,763 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$62,665
2025 BLS Actual
$73,658
2026 Current Est.
$75,728
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,665 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,122 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,325 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,658 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Hill metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,665 (2019) to $73,658 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,191 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Hill 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) | $51,600 – $65,439 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,439 – $75,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,728 – $85,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,011 – $96,975 |
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 Rock Hill
Currently, the local job market employs 11 occupational therapy assistants, reflecting a focused yet potentially competitive landscape. Given Rock Hill's cost of living index of 91.5, compensation may go further here compared to areas with higher costs. Careers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally offer better pay, while positions in school districts and outpatient clinics may present a different financial outlook, particularly affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services established in 2022. The disparity between low and high pay often results from the setting, productivity expectations, and the type of contracts offered—year-round roles versus those tied to the school year. To maximize earnings in Rock Hill, consider targeting high-paying employers, negotiating for PRN or weekend shifts, and strategically obtaining additional credentials that can enhance your marketability.
More salary data for Rock Hill, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Rock Hill, SC in 2026?
Is Rock Hill, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Rock Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Rock Hill?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Rock Hill?
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
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 $73,658 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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