Salary data · North Carolina
Occupational therapy assistant salary in North Carolina
Occupational therapy assistants in North Carolina earn a mean of $69,270 a year and a median of $69,390, 2.0% below the national mean of $70,710. That ranks 21st of the 50 states with a published estimate.
$69,270
Mean annual wage
about $33 an hour
$69,390
Median annual wage
21st of 50
State rank
by mean wage
1,590
OTAs employed
BLS estimate
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates. These are estimates for occupational therapy assistants already employed in North Carolina, not offers; the hourly figure divides the annual mean by 2,080 hours. Setting, specialty and caseload move an individual offer well above or below them. Updated October 22, 2026.
By metro
Occupational therapy assistant pay by metro in North Carolina
| Metro | Mean | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | $74,360 | $75,620 | 170 |
| Greensboro | $71,890 | $74,290 | 80 |
| Charlotte | $70,690 | $72,780 | 450 |
| Asheville | $68,960 | $72,840 | 70 |
| Durham | $68,460 | $66,230 | 60 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan estimates. Suppressed cells show n/a.
The market
How many occupational therapy assistants work in North Carolina
Source: NPPES monthly file, October 2026 (CMS, public domain), as of October 2026.
Licensed in another state?
North Carolina has enacted the OT Compact but is not yet issuing compact privileges, so occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed elsewhere still need a North Carolina license for now.
How the OT Compact works →Open roles
OTA openings in North Carolina
Other roles in North Carolina
Thinking about a OTA move in North Carolina?
Send a resume and a few lines on the setting, schedule and pay you want. A licensed clinician reads every one, and it stays confidential.