Occupational Therapist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Occupational Therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $83,160 a year ($39.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,050 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 11% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $92,940. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| 25th percentile | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| Median | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| 75th percentile | $103,950 | $49.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,050 | $53.39 |
| Average (mean) | $90,030 | $43.29 |
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 | $6,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,465 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,198.46 |
| Weekly | $1,599.23 |
| Hourly | $39.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greenville, NC | $101,360 | 130 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $100,780 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $100,160 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,400 | 830 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,450 | 1,140 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $96,820 | 270 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $93,780 | 260 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $86,870 | 30 |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,420 | 260 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $85,540 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,080 | 680 |
| Asheville, NC | $83,660 | 210 |
| Burlington, NC | $82,640 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $81,450 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,240 | 200 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Veterinarian | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| Recreational Therapist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $214,620 | $103.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $83,160 a year, or $39.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $111,050 a year. The top 25% earn $103,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,060 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,860 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 390 occupational therapists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.