Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Columbia, SC
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $74,330 a year ($35.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $73,740. There are 0.31 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,660, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,020 | $14.91 |
| 25th percentile | $52,860 | $25.41 |
| Median | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| 75th percentile | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Average (mean) | $65,660 | $31.57 |
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 | $6,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,097.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,858.85 |
| Weekly | $1,429.42 |
| Hourly | $35.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,330 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 Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $86,040 | 80 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $75,770 | 110 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $73,580 | 240 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $72,780 | 450 |
| Florence, SC | $72,720 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,780 | 100 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $66,920 | 40 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area is $74,330 a year, or $35.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $85,940 a year. The top 25% earn $79,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,020 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $52,860 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Columbia, SC?
About 120 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.