Occupational Therapist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Occupational Therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $99,960 a year ($48.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,460 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $97,700. There are 0.69 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $98,130, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,350 | $36.22 |
| 25th percentile | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Median | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| 75th percentile | $110,720 | $53.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,460 | $59.36 |
| Average (mean) | $98,130 | $47.18 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,330 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,165 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,844.62 |
| Weekly | $1,922.31 |
| Hourly | $48.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $107,830 | 450 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $106,360 | 140 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $106,060 | 70 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $104,680 | 760 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $100,630 | 710 |
| Jackson, MS | $98,340 | 400 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $97,740 | 140 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,470 | 90 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $97,240 | 200 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $95,960 | 290 |
| Johnson City, TN | $94,940 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $94,490 | 290 |
| Morristown, TN | $93,010 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $87,360 | 80 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $82,410 | 100 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $79,590 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $72,310 | $34.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $99,960 a year, or $48.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $123,460 a year. The top 25% earn $110,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,350 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $83,790 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 420 occupational therapists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.