Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Asheville, NC
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $72,840 a year ($35.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,450 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 5% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $69,390. There are 0.41 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,960, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| 25th percentile | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Median | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 75th percentile | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| Average (mean) | $68,960 | $33.16 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $6,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,035 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,801.54 |
| Weekly | $1,400.77 |
| Hourly | $35.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,840 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 Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $75,620 | 170 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $74,290 | 80 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $72,780 | 450 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,150 | 90 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $66,230 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $65,730 | 300 |
| Greenville, NC | $64,680 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $64,010 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $63,440 | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $63,120 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Dental Assistant | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Massage Therapist | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,190 | $18.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in Asheville, NC?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Asheville, NC metro area is $72,840 a year, or $35.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $81,450 a year. The top 25% earn $76,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,550 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $63,070 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Asheville, NC?
About 70 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.