Occupational Therapist salary in Knoxville, TN
Occupational Therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $94,490 a year ($45.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,330 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $97,700. There are 0.68 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $89,970, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| 25th percentile | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Median | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| 75th percentile | $101,820 | $48.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,330 | $55.93 |
| Average (mean) | $89,970 | $43.25 |
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 | $7,874.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,937.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,634.23 |
| Weekly | $1,817.12 |
| Hourly | $45.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $100,630 | 710 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,960 | 420 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $97,470 | 90 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $95,960 | 290 |
| Johnson City, TN | $94,940 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $93,010 | 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,330 | $31.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $94,490 a year, or $45.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $116,330 a year. The top 25% earn $101,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,870 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $77,170 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 290 occupational therapists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.