Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in South Carolina
Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina earn a median of $73,740 a year ($35.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,860 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $72,300. South Carolina ranks 15th of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.36 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,480, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| 25th percentile | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| Median | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| 75th percentile | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,860 | $42.24 |
| Average (mean) | $70,480 | $33.89 |
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 | $6,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,072.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,836.15 |
| Weekly | $1,418.08 |
| Hourly | $35.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,740 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 cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $86,040 | 80 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $75,770 | 110 |
| Columbia, SC | $74,330 | 120 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Massage Therapist | $58,000 | $27.88 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,980 | $17.78 |
| Orderly | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $33,870 | $16.29 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina is $73,740 a year, or $35.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina earn at least $87,860 a year. The top 25% earn $77,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,050 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $63,170 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in South Carolina?
About 830 occupational therapy assistants are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.