Occupational Therapy Aide Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Occupational Therapy Aides in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$66,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+69% vs US median
US median $39,160
State Rank
#1 of 27
250 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make in North Carolina?

An Occupational Therapy Aide working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $66,190 per year, or about $31.82 per hour. That is 69% above the national median of $39,160 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $29,570 while the top 10% make $77,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,490 and $76,190 a year.

Occupational Therapy Aide salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,570$14.22
25th percentile (early career)$47,490$22.83
50th percentile (median)$66,190$31.82
75th percentile (experienced)$76,190$36.63
90th percentile (top earners)$77,980$37.49

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 1st out of 27 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1North Carolina$66,190
2New York$46,220
3Washington$45,890
4Nebraska$44,980
5Connecticut$44,840

Working as an Occupational Therapy Aide in North Carolina

Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($66,190) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make in North Carolina?
The median Occupational Therapy Aide salary in North Carolina is $66,190 per year, or about $31.82 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,570 at the entry level to $77,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Occupational Therapy Aides about 69% more than the national median of $39,160. North Carolina ranks 1st out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Occupational Therapy Aides?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $66,190 a year. About 250 Occupational Therapy Aides are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Therapy Aide salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.