Occupational Therapists pay range in Columbia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $77,060 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,260 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Columbia earn between $84,240 and $106,830.
- $77K10th
- $84K25th
- $103KMedian
- $107K75th
- $112K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $96,940 | $8,078 | $46.61 |
| Median | $102,650 | $8,554 | $49.35 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $84,240 | $7,020 | $40.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $106,830 | $8,902 | $51.36 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Columbia vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Columbia earn about the same as the South Carolina average ($97,180) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is +2% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $96,940 | $102,650 | $77,060 | $112,260 | 280 |
| South Carolina | $97,180 | $101,130 | $75,370 | $123,110 | 1,840 |
| 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 Columbia
On the average salary of $96,940, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $72,943 a year, or $6,079 a month and $2,805 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbia a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbia area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.7), so the average $96,940 buys what about $103,500 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($46,430). A typical home costs $256,154, or 2.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other South Carolina cities
Columbia ranks 5th of 7 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Spartanburg pays the most ($101,290).
- Spartanburg$101,290
- Charleston$97,710
- Hilton Head Island$97,570
- Greenville$97,240
- Columbia$96,940
- Florence$95,920
- Myrtle Beach$92,350
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 Columbia: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Columbia?
$46.61 an hour on average, and $49.35 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $77,060 a year and the 25th percentile is $84,240, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Columbia?
About $72,943 a year ($6,079 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $96,940.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% 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 Columbia, SC (17900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
- 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 0.67, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.67).
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