Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
South Carolina employs 830 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $73,740 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in South Carolina (May 2025)
- South Carolina median pay
- $73,740 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $52,050
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $77,660
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $87,860
- Employed in South Carolina
- 830
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $68,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major South Carolina markets:
- Spartanburg
- $86,040 (80 employed)
- Charleston
- $75,770 (110 employed)
- Columbia
- $74,330 (120 employed)
- Greenville
- $73,580 (240 employed)
- Charlotte
- $72,780 (450 employed)
- Augusta
- $67,780 (100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in South Carolina
Prices in South Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.7 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,740 median stretches to roughly $78,698 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in South Carolina (2024–2034)
South Carolina is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +25.6%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 140 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
South Carolina License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (LLR).
- Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
- Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
- Apply to the SC Board of Occupational Therapy.
Official requirements: South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (LLR) →
Training in South Carolina
Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Carolina include:
- Greenville Technical College — Associate
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College — Associate
- Midlands Technical College — Associate
- Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College — Associate
Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in South Carolina
Real South Carolina outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:
- Anderson Oconee Speech and Hearing Services — Anderson
- Brookdale Therapy Anderson — Anderson
- Cora Physical Therapy West Columbia — Batesburg-Leesville
- Select Physical Therapy — Beaufort
- Georgialina Physical Therapy — Beech Island
- Cora Physical Therapy - Bluffton — Bluffton
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.
Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.
Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
First Steps
Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in South Carolina?
The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina is $73,740 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,050, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $87,860. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina?
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (LLR). Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in South Carolina?
Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
Which South Carolina metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?
Among South Carolina metro areas, Spartanburg leads at $86,040, followed by Charleston ($75,770), Columbia ($74,330). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina?
Real South Carolina options include Greenville Technical College, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, Midlands Technical College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in South Carolina?
South Carolina projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +25.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 140 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy (LLR) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Carolina wages · South Carolina licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.