PayByState

North Carolina · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in North Carolina

Median $91,460 · Top 10% earn $106,690+ · Roughly 4,666 workers in North Carolina. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Carolina median
$91,460
$43.97/hr
Top 10%
$106,690
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$58,850
Entry-level range
Real pay
$98,662
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

North Carolina pays modestly below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $91,460 versus the national median of $98,340. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 4,666 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in North Carolina

North Carolina pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

North Carolina ranks #34 of 50 states

Where North Carolina sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. North Carolina
#33 Ohio $92,440 +$980
#32 New Mexico $92,440 +$980
#31 Florida $92,440 +$980
#34 North Carolina (this page) $91,460 —
#36 Georgia $90,470 −$990
#37 South Carolina $89,490 −$1,970
#38 Indiana $89,490 −$1,970
See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Carolina

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the North Carolina median of $91,460, payback periods are typically 2.5 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with North Carolina selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in North Carolina — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in North Carolina?
The median occupational therapist salary in North Carolina is $91,460 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $58,850; the top 10% earn $106,690 or more. About 4,666 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Carolina occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina's median of $91,460 is $6,880 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $98,662.
Is occupational therapist a good career in North Carolina?
On the data: North Carolina employs roughly 4,666 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $91,460 and the top decile clearing $106,690. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in North Carolina?
At the North Carolina median of $91,460 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.97/hr. The top 10% earn around $51.29/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.29/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Carolina-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where North Carolina's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.