2026 Salary — South Carolina
Updated April 29, 2026
Occupational Therapist Salary in South Carolina: $89K Median
Occupational Therapists in South Carolina earn between $64K and $115K per year.
That's -8% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in South Carolina is $88,660 per year — -8% below the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $64,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $115,000 (90th percentile). South Carolina's cost-of-living index is 95. State income tax applies.
Median
$88,660
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$69,000
Experienced
$101,200
Top 10%
$115,000
About Occupational Therapists in South Carolina
Occupational therapists help patients perform daily activities through therapeutic interventions tailored to physical, cognitive, or developmental needs.
Hot 2026 Skills
Telehealth OTPediatric specialtyHand therapy (CHT)Mental health OTGeriatric care
ATS Keywords
OTR/Lpatient evaluationADL trainingpediatric OThand therapysensory integrationsplinting
How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in South Carolina
Walk-away anchor: $80,600.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — South Carolina
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in South Carolina?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in South Carolina is $88,660 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $64,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $115,000 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Occupational Therapist pay in South Carolina compare to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in South Carolina earn approximately 8% less than the US national median ($96,370 nationally vs $88,660 in South Carolina). South Carolina's cost-of-living index of 95 is close to the national average.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in South Carolina increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in South Carolina grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,433 in 2025 to $88,660 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.
Which South Carolina cities pay Occupational Therapists the most?
South Carolina has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.
What's the job outlook for Occupational Therapists in South Carolina?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. South Carolina's top industries include Manufacturing (BMW, Boeing), Tourism, Aerospace, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does South Carolina have state income tax?
Yes, South Carolina has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $88,660, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Occupational Therapists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with South Carolina employers.
How can I increase my Occupational Therapist salary in South Carolina?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for South Carolina: $80,600.
Methodology
South Carolina Occupational Therapist salary is the BLS national median ($96,370) adjusted by South Carolina's state multiplier (0.92×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Occupational Therapist Salary in Other States
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