Occupational Therapist salary in Tennessee
Occupational Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $97,700 a year ($46.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,330. Tennessee ranks 30th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 0.76 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $95,080, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| 25th percentile | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Median | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| 75th percentile | $107,250 | $51.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,070 | $57.25 |
| Average (mean) | $95,080 | $45.71 |
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 | $8,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,070.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,757.69 |
| Weekly | $1,878.85 |
| Hourly | $46.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $94,490 | 290 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,220 | $111.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Tennessee is $97,700 a year, or $46.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Tennessee earn at least $119,070 a year. The top 25% earn $107,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,520 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,750 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Tennessee?
About 2,490 occupational therapists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.