Occupational Therapist Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $103,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $103,905/year (≈ $49.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.0), that paycheck buys what $106,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the 2026 median annual salary for occupational therapists reaches $103,905, slightly above the national figure of $103,400. Occupational therapists in the area can expect a salary range from $82,685 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $115,571 at the higher end (90th percentile), reflecting the diverse settings in which they work. Whether employed in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, or educational environments, pay can vary significantly based on the nature of the setting, client population, and contract basis. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the unique employment situations faced by occupational therapists in Hilton Head Island, where choices between year-round positions and school-year contracts can dramatically influence compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,685 | $39.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,930 | $42.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,905 | $49.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,212 | $53.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,571 | $55.56 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,886 (2026 est.). At $103,905, the local median is 0.49% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be above the median
How Hilton Head Island Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $103,905/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $104,638 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +0.49% more |
Occupational Therapists in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $103,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.70% below the South Carolina state average of $104,638.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island has a cost of living 1.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 98.017 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $103,905 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,007 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.02% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$87,720
2025 BLS Actual
$100,820
2026 Current Est.
$103,905
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 14.9% from $87,720 (2019) to $100,820 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,365 (22.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $82,685 – $88,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,930 – $103,905 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,905 – $112,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,212 – $115,571 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Hilton Head Island
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 70 occupational therapists employed in Hilton Head Island. While the cost of living index stands at 98.017, which is slightly below the national average, it contributes positively to the overall purchasing power of therapists in the region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically provide the most competitive pay, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings. The spectrum of salaries can result from various factors, including the demand for specific specialties like certified hand therapy (CHT) and the dynamic between contract employment versus traditional roles. To optimize earnings in Hilton Head Island, occupational therapists should consider pursuing board certifications like CHT and seeking employment in higher-paying facilities while also weighing the stability and benefits of school district contracts.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Hilton Head Island, SC in 2026?
Is Hilton Head Island, SC a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Hilton Head Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Hilton Head Island?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Hilton Head Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $100,820 for occupational therapistsin the Hilton Head Island 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