Occupational Therapist Salary in North Carolina: $93,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $93,415/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,802 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greenville ($101,360), Rocky Mount ($100,780), Hickory ($100,160).
The projected average median salary for occupational therapists in North Carolina in 2026 is $93,415, which is approximately 9.7% lower than the national median of $103,400. This discrepancy may be influenced by factors such as varying local demand for services, cost of living, and healthcare funding priorities across the state. Greenville offers the highest average salary at $104,462, while Leland has the lowest at $82,706, highlighting a salary gap of $21,756. This difference can be attributed to local economic conditions, availability of healthcare facilities, and community needs. In North Carolina, occupational therapists must comply with state-specific licensing requirements and understand the scope of practice laws that govern their profession. Factors driving demand for occupational therapy services include an aging population and increased focus on rehabilitation post-injury. As of 2026, the job market for occupational therapists is expected to grow at a rate of 3.06% annually, reflecting a steady increase in employment opportunities. Major cities projected to offer competitive salaries include Rocky Mount at $103,864, Hickory at $103,225, Concord at $103,123, and Charlotte at $101,463. Overall, the outlook for occupational therapy careers in North Carolina indicates stability, with varied salaries across regions based on local conditions.
North Carolina Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $50,798 (lowest entry-level) to $137,907 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina occupational therapists earn 9.66% less than the national median ($-9,985/year difference).
North Carolina Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in North Carolina range from $65,159 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $120,065 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $93,415. The North Carolina median is $9,985 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $44.91/hr. Approximately 4,254 occupational therapists are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,440
2025 BLS Actual
$90,641
2026 Current Est.
$93,415
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,619 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,641 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 9.9% from $82,440 (2019) to $90,641 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,834 (16.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $82,706 |
| Fayetteville | $83,726 |
| Pinehurst | $83,942 |
| Carrboro | $83,945 |
| Indian Trail | $84,274 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $104,462 | 88.402 | $118,167 |
| Rocky Mount | $103,864 | 88.012 | $118,011 |
| Hickory | $103,225 | 88.486 | $116,657 |
| Concord | $103,123 | 93.6 | $110,174 |
| Greensboro | $99,783 | 92.865 | $107,450 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $65,159 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $93,415 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $120,065 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenville | $104,462 |
| 2 | Rocky Mount | $103,864 |
| 3 | Hickory | $103,225 |
| 4 | Concord | $103,123 |
| 5 | Charlotte | $101,463 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $99,783 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $99,299 |
| 8 | High Point | $98,246 |
| 9 | Winston | $96,650 |
| 10 | Winston-Salem | $92,305 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $90,019 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $89,878 |
| 13 | Apex | $89,665 |
| 14 | Goldsboro | $89,528 |
| 15 | Wilmington | $89,064 |
| 16 | Statesville | $88,324 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $88,248 |
| 18 | Jacksonville | $88,158 |
| 19 | Matthews | $88,041 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $87,889 |
| 21 | Sanford | $87,813 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $87,810 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $87,771 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $87,536 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $87,523 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $87,377 |
| 27 | New Bern | $87,343 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $87,322 |
| 29 | Raleigh | $86,653 |
| 30 | Chapel Hill | $86,421 |
| 31 | Cary | $86,241 |
| 32 | Asheville | $86,220 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $85,940 |
| 34 | Durham | $85,705 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $85,671 |
| 36 | Monroe | $85,636 |
| 37 | Garner | $85,442 |
| 38 | Wilson | $85,380 |
| 39 | Burlington | $85,169 |
| 40 | Boone | $85,010 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $84,274 |
| 42 | Carrboro | $83,945 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $83,942 |
| 44 | Fayetteville | $83,726 |
| 45 | Leland | $82,706 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in North Carolina?
How many occupational therapists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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