Occupational Therapist salary in North Carolina
Occupational Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $92,940 a year ($44.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,300 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $100,330. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 0.91 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,360, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| 25th percentile | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| Median | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| 75th percentile | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,300 | $56.87 |
| Average (mean) | $91,360 | $43.93 |
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 | $7,745 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,872.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,574.62 |
| Weekly | $1,787.31 |
| Hourly | $44.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,940 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 cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $289,780 | $139.32 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for occupational therapists in North Carolina is $92,940 a year, or $44.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in North Carolina earn at least $118,300 a year. The top 25% earn $104,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,230 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $77,510 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in North Carolina?
About 4,490 occupational therapists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.