BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Occupational Therapists in North Carolina

$91,360 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$43.92 per hour

▼ 9.8% below U.S. average43rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$91,360per year
Median$92,940per year
Hourly$43.92per hour
10th – 90th percentile$62,230 – $118,300per year

Occupational Therapists Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,230
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$77,510
  • 50th Percentile — Median$92,940
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$104,820
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$118,300

Half of Occupational Therapists in North Carolina earn more than $92,940. The top 10% make $118,300 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,230.

Occupational Therapists in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 43rd of 51 states for Occupational Therapists pay, at $91,360 per year (9.8% below the U.S. average of $101,280).
  • 4,490 people work as Occupational Therapists in North Carolina — 2.8% of all U.S. Occupational Therapists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.87: Occupational Therapists jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,230; the top 10% earn over $118,300.
  • Hourly equivalent: $43.92 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $121,920.
  • Among healthcare jobs in North Carolina, Surgeons All Other pays the most ($377,270).

Occupational Therapists Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Occupational Therapists here earn $91,360 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $91,360 is roughly equivalent to $100,396 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Louisiana ($92,940), Montana ($92,310), Nebraska ($91,620) are the closest alternatives for Occupational Therapists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Occupational Therapists salary in North Carolina?

The average Occupational Therapists salary in North Carolina is $91,360 per year (median $92,940), which is 9.8% below the national average of $101,280.

How does North Carolina rank for Occupational Therapists pay?

North Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($121,920/yr).

How much do entry-level Occupational Therapists make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Occupational Therapists in North Carolina earn about $62,230 per year and the 25th percentile is $77,510.

How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in North Carolina?

About $43.92 per hour, based on the $91,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Occupational Therapists work in North Carolina?

BLS counts 4,490 Occupational Therapists jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).

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