Occupational Therapist Salary in Hickory, NC: $103,225 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Hickory, NC earns a median $103,225/year (≈ $49.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $116,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Hickory, North Carolina, can expect a projected median annual salary of $103,225 in 2026, positioning the region slightly below the national median of $103,400. The salary range for these professionals spans from approximately $71,606 at the 10th percentile to $122,033 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and adjusted for projections, highlights the versatility within the occupational therapy field. Those choosing to work in hospitals might find salaries at the higher end of the scale, while school-based therapists may experience lower compensation due to the seasonal nature of contracts. With 120 occupational therapists employed locally, Hickory offers a competitive job market for graduates and seasoned professionals alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,606 | $34.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,313 | $40.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,225 | $49.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,583 | $54.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,033 | $58.67 |
Median Salary Position
0.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,427 (2026 est.). At $103,225, the local median is 0.17% below the national median of $103,400.
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How Hickory Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $103,225/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $89,064 | +15.90% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | -0.17% less |
Occupational Therapists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $103,225 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.17% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 15.90% above the North Carolina state average of $89,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $103,225 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $116,657 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,590
2025 BLS Actual
$100,160
2026 Current Est.
$103,225
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,225 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 14.4% from $87,590 (2019) to $100,160 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,794 (21.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $71,606 – $84,313 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,313 – $103,225 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,225 – $112,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,583 – $122,033 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Hickory
The cost of living index in Hickory is lower than the national average at 88.486, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power for occupational therapists working in the area. This economic environment allows practitioners to maximize their earnings, particularly in high-demand settings like skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and hospital inpatient rehabilitation, which tend to offer higher salaries than school districts. Employers that prioritize board certification, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, often provide additional stipends for specialized skills. Variances in pay can also be attributed to productivity expectations, the transition to year-round contracts, and impacts from Medicare cuts affecting SNFs and outpatient services. To effectively increase earning potential in Hickory, occupational therapists should actively pursue certifications, seek roles in inpatient care or high-demand specialties, and remain adaptable to changing healthcare landscapes within the region.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Hickory, NC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Hickory?
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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 $100,160 for occupational therapistsin the Hickory 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
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