Occupational Therapist salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Occupational Therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $100,160 a year ($48.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $92,940. There are 0.78 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $96,180, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,480 | $33.40 |
| 25th percentile | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Median | $100,160 | $48.15 |
| 75th percentile | $109,240 | $52.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Average (mean) | $96,180 | $46.24 |
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 | $8,346.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,173.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,852.31 |
| Weekly | $1,926.15 |
| Hourly | $48.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,160 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 |
| 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,160 | 390 |
| 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Physicians, All Other | $313,460 | $150.70 |
| Pharmacist | $137,180 | $65.95 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,210 | $61.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,950 | $49.01 |
| Dentists, General | $193,320 | $92.94 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,630 | $102.71 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Veterinarian | $124,970 | $60.08 |
| Optometrist | $136,920 | $65.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $100,160 a year, or $48.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $118,410 a year. The top 25% earn $109,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,480 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,810 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 120 occupational therapists are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.