Occupational Therapists pay range in Hickory
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $118,410 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Hickory earn between $81,810 and $109,240.
- $69K10th
- $82K25th
- $100KMedian
- $109K75th
- $118K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $96,180 | $8,015 | $46.24 |
| Median | $100,160 | $8,347 | $48.15 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $81,810 | $6,818 | $39.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $109,240 | $9,103 | $52.52 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Hickory vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Hickory earn 5% more than the North Carolina average ($91,360) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | $96,180 | $100,160 | $69,480 | $118,410 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $91,360 | $92,940 | $62,230 | $118,300 | 4,490 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Hickory
On the average salary of $96,180, a single filer in Hickory takes home about $73,164 a year, or $6,097 a month and $2,814 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Hickory a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Hickory area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.5), so the average $96,180 buys what about $108,695 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Hickory ($45,220). A typical home costs $271,739, or 2.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other North Carolina cities
Hickory ranks 2nd of 15 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Greenville pays the most ($97,010).
- Greenville$97,010
- Hickory$96,180
- Charlotte$95,960
- Rocky Mount$93,090
- Winston-Salem$92,460
- Greensboro$91,600
- Raleigh$90,850
- Durham$90,030
- Wilmington$89,390
- Goldsboro$87,440
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
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Occupational Therapists salary in Hickory: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Hickory?
$46.24 an hour on average, and $48.15 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Hickory?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $81,810, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Hickory?
About $73,164 a year ($6,097 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $96,180.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Hickory than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1122; area Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC (25860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.75, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.75).
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