Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Goldsboro, NC: $43.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Goldsboro, NC runs $43.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Goldsboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Goldsboro, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $43.05, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.71 per hour. This hourly wage reflects the financial structure for both full-time and part-time professionals in various settings, such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient therapy clinics. For part-time therapists working three days a week, the earnings potentially provide a reasonable income, allowing for a balance between workload and personal life. With an hourly rate range spanning from $27.42 at entry-level positions to $56.18 for top earners, it’s evident that those at the peak of the occupational therapy field in Goldsboro can expect to command significantly higher pay for their expertise. This is official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, representing insights into the local job market for aspiring or current occupational therapists.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.42 | $219.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.86 | $286.92 |
| Median (P50) | $43.05 | $344.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.49 | $427.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.18 | $449.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Goldsboro
Based on $43.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.05/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Goldsboro, NC can expect to earn approximately $89,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,658. With a cost-of-living index of 88.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Goldsboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Goldsboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,721.93 | $7,462 | $89,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,033.16 | $4,477 | $53,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $688.77 | $2,985 | $35,816 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Goldsboro) | $43.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $89,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.42% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $89,083.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.05/hr = $53,724/year (purchasing power: $60,731).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,540/year (purchasing power: $101,219).
CoL index: 88.462 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Goldsboro grew 18.1% from $35.37/hr (2019) to $41.77/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Goldsboro
Examining the financial landscape for part-time occupational therapists reveals another layer of earning potential. Those working 24 hours a week may find their annual take-home pay appealing but not as lucrative as full-timers. Per diem occupational therapists in Goldsboro can expect to earn between $50 and $75 per hour, a notable difference that can attract many professionals to this flexible work model. Moreover, Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) in private practice may command rates soaring to $80-$110 per hour, especially in cash-pay setups, or even reach weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800 through travel contracts. However, work settings can influence pay rates, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering different compensation structures than school districts or early intervention programs. Many occupational therapists opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for consistent benefits like health insurance, illustrating the trade-offs that professionals must consider. When navigating negotiations for hourly positions in Goldsboro, it is essential to emphasize skills, certifications, and expertise—particularly in high-demand areas such as hand therapy—to set oneself apart from the competition.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Goldsboro in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Goldsboro?
Are occupational therapists in Goldsboro paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Goldsboro?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Goldsboro?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Goldsboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov