Occupational Therapist Salary in Greenville, SC: $105,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Greenville, SC earns a median $105,472/year (≈ $50.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $113,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Greenville, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,472, reflecting a modest increase from previous years. This amount is notably above the national median of $103,400, suggesting that Greenville's market offers competitive compensation in the field. The salary range for occupational therapists here spans from $78,027 at the lowest percentile to $120,075 at the highest, indicating that there are diverse opportunities available for OTs with varying levels of experience and specialties. These statistics, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, represent a critical indicator of the job market landscape in Greenville, particularly as Medicare cuts may have ramifications on compensation structures in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient care moving forward.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,027 | $37.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,416 | $41.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,472 | $50.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,862 | $52.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,075 | $57.73 |
Median Salary Position
2.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,048 (2026 est.). At $105,472, the local median is 2% above the national median of $103,400.
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How Greenville Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Greenville median: $105,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $104,635 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +2.00% more |
Occupational Therapists in Greenville, SC earn a median of $105,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.80% above the South Carolina state average of $104,635.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,472 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,880
2025 BLS Actual
$102,340
2026 Current Est.
$105,472
2019–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 38.5% from $73,880 (2019) to $102,340 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,819 (47.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $78,027 – $86,416 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,416 – $105,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,472 – $108,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,862 – $120,075 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Greenville
Occupational therapists in Greenville benefit from a job market that employs around 400 professionals. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 93.26, which is lower than the national average, meaning that the purchasing power of an occupational therapist salary in Greenville is relatively favorable. Compensation can vary significantly based on the provider setting; positions within hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer higher wages compared to those in school districts or skilled nursing facilities. Factors influencing pay disparities include board certifications, such as becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and variations in productivity expectations tied to different practice environments. Given the trend toward new educational requirements, such as the entry-level OTD transition by 2027, OTs in Greenville may want to consider strategies for maximizing their earnings, such as pursing additional certifications and seeking positions that align with higher salary options.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Greenville, SC in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Greenville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Greenville?
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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 $102,340 for occupational therapistsin the Greenville 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