Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$73,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $72,300
State Rank
#15 of 50
830 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant make in South Carolina?

An Occupational Therapy Assistant working in South Carolina earns a median salary of $73,740 per year, or about $35.45 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $72,300 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $52,050 while the top 10% make $87,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,170 and $77,660 a year.

Occupational Therapy Assistant salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,050$25.02
25th percentile (early career)$63,170$30.37
50th percentile (median)$73,740$35.45
75th percentile (experienced)$77,660$37.34
90th percentile (top earners)$87,860$42.24

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 15th out of 50 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maryland$82,010
2California$81,770
3Texas$81,500
4Nevada$79,510
5Arkansas$78,940

Working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina

Nationally, about 51,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Assistants in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare South Carolina pay ($73,740) 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 Assistant make in South Carolina?
The median Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in South Carolina is $73,740 per year, or about $35.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,050 at the entry level to $87,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Occupational Therapy Assistants about 2% more than the national median of $72,300. South Carolina ranks 15th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Occupational Therapy Assistants?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,740 a year. About 830 Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Therapy Assistant 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.