Occupational Therapist Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $103,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $103,864/year (≈ $49.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $118,011 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $103,864 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $103,400. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $72,389 at the 10th percentile to $109,862 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse set of career dynamics. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and indicate a robust demand for occupational therapy professionals in the region. Additionally, earning a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential significantly enhances compensation potential, making this certification a valuable asset in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,389 | $34.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,302 | $41.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,864 | $49.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,358 | $51.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,862 | $52.82 |
Median Salary Position
0.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,473 (2026 est.). At $103,864, the local median is 0.45% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Rocky Mount Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $103,864/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $89,077 | +16.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +0.45% more |
Occupational Therapists in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $103,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.45% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 16.60% above the North Carolina state average of $89,077.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $103,864 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $118,011 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,331
2025 BLS Actual
$100,780
2026 Current Est.
$103,864
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,331 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,667 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $85,331 (2019) to $100,780 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,711 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $72,389 – $86,302 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,302 – $103,864 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,864 – $106,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,358 – $109,862 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, the job market for occupational therapists is characterized by the employment of approximately 40 professionals, showcasing a stable demand. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 88.012, which implies a more favorable financial environment compared to national averages, potentially increasing the purchasing power of local therapists. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer some of the highest salaries for occupational therapists. The spread between lower and upper salaries in the region is influenced by various factors, including the setting of employment, whether it's more lucrative to work in schools versus healthcare facilities, and the impact of certifications like CHT. Factors such as productivity expectations and the economic implications of Medicare cuts further complicate financial outcomes. Occupational therapists seeking to enhance their pay in Rocky Mount should consider gaining additional certifications, specializing in high-demand areas such as hand therapy, or pursuing roles in environments that offer year-round contracts.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Rocky Mount, NC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Rocky Mount?
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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 $100,780 for occupational therapistsin the Rocky Mount 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, 5-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