How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina employs about 830 occupational therapy assistants earning a median $73,740 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Occupational Therapy Assistant here means completing an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Compare Occupational Therapy Assistant Schools in South Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trident Technical College | 50.6 | $4,546 in-state / $8,620 out-of-state | $58,783 | 30% | Yes* | 69 mi |
| 2 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | 50.3 | $4,468 in-state / $8,836 out-of-state | $46,000 | 38% | Yes* | 100 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 3 | Southeastern College-Charleston | 47.1 | $25,080 | $33,941 | 67% | Yes* | 71 mi |
| 4 | Piedmont Technical College | 45.7 | $4,775 in-state / $6,923 out-of-state | $44,555 | 33% | Yes* | 85 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 5 | Augusta Technical College | 45.4 | $4,282 in-state / $7,492 out-of-state | $43,469 | 31% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 6 | Southeastern College-Columbia | 30.4 | $25,080 | $32,183 | 67% | — | 25 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
South Carolina employs approximately 830 occupational therapy assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $73,740 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure
- Exam: NBCOT COTA
- Median wage (South Carolina): $73,740 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina
How to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina? Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Apply through the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, the NBCOT COTA exam, and state OTA licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.
Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do occupational therapy assistants earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina is $73,740 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $52,050 and experienced professionals can earn $87,860 or more 1.
How to Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in South Carolina
- Meet program entry rules. OTA programs typically require a high school diploma or GED and prerequisites.
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program. Finish an associate-level ACOTE-accredited program in South Carolina. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass NBCOT COTA. Pass the NBCOT Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant exam.
- Apply for state OTA licensure. Apply to the program and employer. Do not treat occupational therapist rows as the assistant path.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Occupational Therapy Assistant License Requirements in South Carolina
Occupational therapy assistants complete an ACOTE-accredited program, pass NBCOT COTA, and apply to the program and employer.
Typical path
Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA program.
Pass NBCOT COTA.
Apply to the program and employer for OTA licensure.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Occupational Therapy Assistants Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), occupational therapy assistants wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 450 | $72,780 | $70,690 | $58,430 | $79,210 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 240 | $73,580 | $68,950 | $52,050 | $80,710 |
| Columbia | 120 | $74,330 | $65,660 | $31,020 | $85,940 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 110 | $75,770 | $73,710 | $58,530 | $93,520 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 100 | $67,780 | $66,070 | $47,310 | $81,740 |
| Spartanburg | 80 | $86,040 | $78,120 | $55,580 | $89,510 |
| Florence | 40 | $72,720 | $69,170 | $49,300 | $84,100 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 40 | $66,920 | $68,150 | $56,170 | $83,200 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 830 occupational therapy assistants 1. Nationally, occupational therapy assistant employment is projected to grow 19.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an occupational therapy assistant in South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina.
How much do occupational therapy assistants earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina is $73,740, which is $5,400 above the national median of $68,340 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In South Carolina
Top local programs
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Aiken, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Anderson, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Beaufort, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Bennettsville, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Bluffton, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Camden, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Cayce, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Charleston, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Clemson, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Clinton, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Columbia, South Carolina (2026)
- Best Occupational Therapy Assistant Programs in Conway, South Carolina (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in South Carolina
- Best HVAC Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in South Carolina
- Best Plumbing Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in South Carolina
Explore More Trades in South Carolina
- Electrician in South Carolina
- Plumber in South Carolina
- HVAC Technician in South Carolina
- Welder in South Carolina
- Carpenter in South Carolina
- Solar Installation Technician in South Carolina
- Auto Mechanic in South Carolina
- CNC Machinist in South Carolina
- Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina
- Medical Assistant in South Carolina
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |