Occupational Therapist Pay

Indian Trail vs Raleigh: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Indian Trail, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indian Trail, NC
$84,274
$40.51/hr
Raleigh, NC
$86,653
$41.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndian Trail, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$84,274$86,653
Hourly Rate$40.51$41.66
Entry Level (P10)$62,464$63,660
25th Percentile$70,012$77,202
75th Percentile$97,590$109,913
Top Earner (P90)$105,685$124,919
Total Employed8680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indian Trail ($84,274) and Raleigh ($86,653) occupational therapist salaries.Indian TrailRaleighMedian Salary$84,274$86,653Entry Level (P10)$62,464$63,660Top Earner (P90)$105,685$124,919US Median $103,400

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Indian Trail.

The salary gap between Indian Trail and Raleigh is $2,379 (2.82%). Raleigh's median is -16.20% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indian Trail spans $43,221,Raleigh spans $61,259. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Indian Trail
P10 (Entry)$62,464
P25$70,012
Median$84,274
P75$97,590
P90 (Top)$105,685
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$63,660
P25$77,202
Median$86,653
P75$109,913
P90 (Top)$124,919

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indian Trail ($90,036 effective) pays 1.99% more than Raleigh ($88,280 effective).

Indian Trail
Nominal: $84,274
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $90,036
Raleigh
Nominal: $86,653
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $88,280

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indian Trail if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,036)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,653/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,919)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Indian Trail grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Indian Trail, NC

+0.4%

$81,481 (2024) → $81,772 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+8.3%

$77,650 (2019) → $84,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Indian Trail or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $86,653/year, compared to Indian Trail at $84,274/year — a difference of $2,379 (2.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indian Trail and Raleigh?

Indian Trail occupational therapists earn $40.51/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $41.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indian Trail to Raleigh as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indian Trail and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indian Trail = $90,036, Raleigh = $88,280), job availability (8 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Indian Trail vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $62,464 in Indian Trail and $63,660 in Raleigh. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov