Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary in South Carolina

How much does an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA make in South Carolina?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA in South Carolina is $64,943 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,669
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,591 to $71,604
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,809
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View as table View as graph 25% $58,591 10% $52,809 90% $77,669 75% $71,604 $64,943 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $71,604 $5,967 $1,377 $34
Average $64,943 $5,412 $1,249 $31
25th Percentile $58,591 $4,883 $1,127 $28
Check out Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Job Openings in South Carolina
Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA

NHC HealthCare Columbia - Anderson, SC

Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA

NHC HealthCare Columbia - North Augusta, SC

Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA

National HealthCare Corporation - North Augusta, SC

Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA

National HealthCare Corporation - Anderson, SC

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Key Factors That Influence Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries

An Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $56,859
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,972
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,259
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,504
  • Expert (over 8 years): $60,668
Levels Salary
Entry Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$56,859
Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$57,972
Senior Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$60,259
Specialist Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$60,504
Expert Level Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA$60,668
$56,859 0 yr
$57,972 < 2 yrs
$60,259 2-4 yrs
$60,504 5-8 yrs
$60,668 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTAs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Spartanburg: $64,707
  • Boiling Springs: $64,710
  • Arcadia: $64,707

Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$71,437$34.010%

Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Occupational Therapy Assistant / COTA job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • NHC HealthCare Columbia

    Sumter, SC

    NHC HealthCare Columbia | Sumter, SC

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) - PRN. Join our in-house therapy team where quality care, teamwork, and growth are top priorities. Why NHC ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • National HealthCare Corporation

    Sumter, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation | Sumter, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation - 1018 North Guignard Drive - Responsibilities: Provide patient-centered occupational therapy services to SNF residents in ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • National HealthCare Corporation

    North Augusta, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation | North Augusta, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation - 350 Austin Graybill Road - Responsibilities: Provide occupational therapy services to residents at North Augusta facility more

    10 Days Ago

  • NHC HealthCare Columbia

    Greenwood, SC

    NHC HealthCare Columbia | Greenwood, SC

    Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant COTA - NHC HealthCare Greenwood PRN Weekends. We offer a culture of recognition, empowerment, and fun. At NHC, we ... more

    10 Days Ago

  • National HealthCare Corporation

    Greenwood, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation | Greenwood, SC

    National HealthCare Corporation - 437 East Cambridge Avenue - Responsibilities: Develop individual treatment plans for patients using evidence-based techni... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Amedisys Inc

    Union, SC

    Amedisys Inc | Union, SC

    Homecare Occupational Therapy Assistant. Are you looking for a rewarding career in homecare. If so, we invite you to join our team at Amedisys, one of the ... more

    8 Days Ago

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