Occupational Therapist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Occupational Therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $95,960 a year ($46.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,340 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $97,700. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,070, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| 25th percentile | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Median | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| 75th percentile | $103,230 | $49.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,340 | $54.97 |
| Average (mean) | $90,070 | $43.30 |
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 | $7,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,998.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,690.77 |
| Weekly | $1,845.38 |
| Hourly | $46.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dalton, GA | $111,580 | 30 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $106,160 | 2,120 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $101,080 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $100,680 | 90 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $100,630 | 710 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,960 | 420 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $99,880 | 260 |
| Rome, GA | $99,490 | 80 |
| Gainesville, GA | $98,490 | 60 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $97,550 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,470 | 90 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $97,340 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Savannah, GA | $95,830 | 130 |
| Johnson City, TN | $94,940 | 90 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $94,580 | 160 |
| Knoxville, TN | $94,490 | 290 |
| Morristown, TN | $93,010 | 40 |
| Valdosta, GA | $92,430 | 40 |
| Jackson, TN | $87,360 | 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 Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $291,200 | $140.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $95,960 a year, or $46.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $114,340 a year. The top 25% earn $103,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,450 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $79,210 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 290 occupational therapists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.