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Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina

Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina

Want to work as an Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina? Here’s what the data says. Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

What do Occupational Therapy Assistants Make in South Carolina?

The occupational therapy assistants working in South Carolina, wages run about $72,970 per year (or roughly $35.08/hour).Earnings range from $54,450 at the 10th percentile to $85,550 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $54,450 $26.18
25th percentile $62,400 $30.00
Median (50th) $72,970 $35.08
75th percentile $78,230 $37.61
90th percentile $85,550 $41.13
Salary ranges for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Carolina

The job concentration index in South Carolina relative to the national average — is 1.10.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, occupational therapy assistants earn a median of $29,426 per year ($14.15/hour), higher than the South Carolina median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 542,119 occupational therapy assistants nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 780 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 670 occupational therapy assistants.

Forecasted number of jobs for Occupational Therapy Assistants

Top South Carolina Metros for Occupational Therapy Assistants

These are the South Carolina metros with the most occupational therapy assistants in South Carolina.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC 200 $73,010
Charleston-North Charleston, SC 120 $72,970
Columbia, SC 100 $73,550
Spartanburg, SC 80 $75,680
Florence, SC 40 $72,030
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC 40 $64,940

Top States for Occupational Therapy Assistants Employment

View the states that employ the most occupational therapy assistants work.

State Number Employed
Texas 5,660
Florida 3,580
California 3,290
Ohio 3,150
New York 2,760
Illinois 2,230
Pennsylvania 2,010
North Carolina 1,620
Massachusetts 1,540
Tennessee 1,430
Indiana 1,280
Virginia 1,260
Georgia 1,220
Wisconsin 1,140
Michigan 1,130
Missouri 1,030
Arizona 930
Colorado 910
Connecticut 860
Oklahoma 830

Highest-Paying States for Occupational Therapy Assistants

These states pay the most for occupational therapy assistants.

State Annual Median Salary
California $79,420
Texas $77,910
Arkansas $77,340
Maryland $77,330
Nevada $76,450
Washington $76,010
Arizona $75,020
Virginia $73,870
Oregon $73,580
South Carolina $72,970

Skills

The most important occupational therapy assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening  3.9 / 5
0
5
Service Orientation  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  3.9 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Time Management  3.5 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service  4.7 / 5
0
5
Psychology  4.3 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.9 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.7 / 5
0
5
Therapy and Counseling  3.7 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  3.4 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for occupational therapy assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.8 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.8 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.6 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  3.5 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Occupational Therapy Assistants typically:

  • Instruct, or assist in instructing, patients and families in home programs, basic living skills, or the care and use of adaptive equipment.
  • Maintain and promote a positive attitude toward clients and their treatment programs.
  • Report to supervisors, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior.
  • Implement, or assist occupational therapists with implementing, treatment plans designed to help clients function independently.
  • Monitor patients' performance in therapy activities, providing encouragement.
  • Observe and record patients' progress, attitudes, and behavior and maintain this information in client records.
  • Select therapy activities to fit patients' needs and capabilities.
  • Attend continuing education classes.
  • Aid patients in dressing and grooming themselves.
  • Evaluate the daily living skills or capacities of clients with physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities.
  • Communicate and collaborate with other healthcare professionals involved with the care of a patient.
  • Work under the direction of occupational therapists to plan, implement, or administer educational, vocational, or recreational programs that restore or enhance performance in individuals with functional impairments.

Work Activities

  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Facebook

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Allied Health Services

Other careers like occupational therapy assistants include:

Also Known As

Acute Care Occupational Therapy Assistant (Acute Care OT Assistant), Certified Occupational Assistant, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant (COTA), Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), Certified Travel OTA (Certified Travel Occupational Therapist Assistant), Home Health COTA (Home Health Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Independent Living Specialist, Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant (LOTA), Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (LOTA), Nursing Facility COTA (Nursing Facility Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Occupational Therapy Technician, Registered Therapist Assistant, Rehabilitation Assistant.

References

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