Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Occupational Therapy Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $61,360 a year ($29.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,910 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $62,420. There are 0.77 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,830, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,710 | $11.40 |
| 25th percentile | $23,730 | $11.41 |
| Median | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| 75th percentile | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,910 | $36.50 |
| Average (mean) | $52,830 | $25.40 |
Half of occupational therapy assistants 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 | $5,113.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,556.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,360 |
| Weekly | $1,180 |
| Hourly | $29.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,360 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 Therapy Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $78,180 | 590 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,120 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $67,780 | 100 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,380 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $64,810 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,040 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,010 | 150 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,520 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $59,930 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapy assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $82,010 |
| California | $81,770 |
| Texas | $81,500 |
| Nevada | $79,510 |
| Arkansas | $78,940 |
| Delaware | $78,640 |
| Washington | $77,590 |
| New Mexico | $77,020 |
| Oregon | $76,850 |
| Georgia | $75,920 |
See Occupational Therapy Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $28,610 | $13.75 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,160 | $19.31 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Orderly | $29,490 | $14.18 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,020 | $14.43 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2011. 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 therapy assistant make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $61,360 a year, or $29.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $75,910 a year. The top 25% earn $64,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,710 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $23,730 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 210 occupational therapy assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.