Occupational Therapist salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Occupational Therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $98,530 a year ($47.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,900 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $101,130. There are 0.82 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $97,710, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| 25th percentile | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Median | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| 75th percentile | $120,430 | $57.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,900 | $61.49 |
| Average (mean) | $97,710 | $46.98 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,105.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,789.62 |
| Weekly | $1,894.81 |
| Hourly | $47.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $111,540 | 210 |
| Columbia, SC | $102,650 | 280 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $102,340 | 400 |
| Florence, SC | $101,510 | 80 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $100,820 | 70 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $100,760 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $99,880 | 260 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,450 | 1,140 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Dentists, General | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,790 | $47.50 |
| Veterinarian | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,650 | $122.91 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Chiropractor | $76,750 | $36.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $98,530 a year, or $47.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $127,900 a year. The top 25% earn $120,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,200 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,590 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 320 occupational therapists are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.