Occupational Therapy Assistant salary in Tennessee
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $62,420 a year ($30.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,950 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $72,300. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 50 states for occupational therapy assistants pay. There are 0.40 occupational therapy assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,550, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapy assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,910 | $11.50 |
| 25th percentile | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Median | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| 75th percentile | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| Average (mean) | $60,550 | $29.11 |
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 | $5,201.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400.77 |
| Weekly | $1,200.38 |
| Hourly | $30.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,420 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $61,360 | 210 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Massage Therapist | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Tennessee is $62,420 a year, or $30.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapy assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of occupational therapy assistants in Tennessee earn at least $78,950 a year. The top 25% earn $74,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapy assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,910 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapy assistants earn $58,470 or less.
How many occupational therapy assistants work in Tennessee?
About 1,300 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.