Occupational Therapist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $86,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $86,421/year (≈ $41.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $92,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapist salaries in Chapel Hill, NC, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $86,421 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $103,400. Local earnings span from $59,766 at the 10th percentile to $117,411 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various settings and job demands within the field. These salary estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, suggest that occupational therapists in the area may face unique market dynamics. With a small workforce of only nine therapists employed in Chapel Hill, competition for desirable roles across hospitals, schools, and skilled nursing facilities shapes the local pay landscape, ultimately influencing earnings prospects.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,766 | $28.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,935 | $33.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,421 | $41.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,836 | $48.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,411 | $56.45 |
Median Salary Position
16.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,645 (2026 est.). At $86,421, the local median is 16.42% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $86,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $89,094 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -16.42% less |
Occupational Therapists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $86,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.42% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.00% below the North Carolina state average of $89,094.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $86,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,001
2025 BLS Actual
$83,855
2026 Current Est.
$86,421
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,879 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,065 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $71,001 (2019) to $83,855 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,065 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,064 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $59,766 – $68,935 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,935 – $86,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,421 – $99,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,836 – $117,411 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Chapel Hill
The cost of living in Chapel Hill further complicates the picture for occupational therapist pay. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, expenses are relatively manageable compared to national norms, which can enhance take-home purchasing power. In this environment, positions in hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer the highest salaries, significantly outpacing those in schools or skilled nursing facilities. The earnings gap is driven by factors such as varying productivity expectations, specialized credentials like Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and the implications of Medicare reimbursement policies. To maximize pay in Chapel Hill, therapists may benefit from pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment in higher-paying settings, while also considering contract opportunities that span the year to optimize their income.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Chapel Hill, NC in 2026?
Is Chapel Hill, NC a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Chapel Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Chapel Hill?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Chapel Hill?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,855 for occupational therapistsin the Chapel Hill metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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