PayByState

Tennessee · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Tennessee

Median $89,490 · Top 10% earn $103,460+ · Roughly 3,208 workers in Tennessee. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Tennessee median
$89,490
$43.02/hr
Top 10%
$103,460
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$57,590
Entry-level range
Real pay
$98,449
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.9)

Tennessee pays modestly below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $89,490 versus the national median of $98,340. Tennessee's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $109 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,208 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Tennessee

Tennessee pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Tennessee ranks #43 of 50 states

Where Tennessee sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Tennessee
#36 Georgia $90,470 +$980
#35 Nebraska $91,460 +$1,970
#34 North Carolina $91,460 +$1,970
#43 Tennessee (this page) $89,490 —
#44 South Dakota $87,520 −$1,970
#45 Oklahoma $87,520 −$1,970
#46 Kentucky $87,520 −$1,970
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Tennessee

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the Tennessee median of $89,490, payback periods are typically 2.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Tennessee selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Tennessee — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Tennessee?
The median occupational therapist salary in Tennessee is $89,490 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $57,590; the top 10% earn $103,460 or more. About 3,208 people work in this role across the state.
How does Tennessee occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee's median of $89,490 is $8,850 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.9), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $98,449.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Tennessee?
On the data: Tennessee employs roughly 3,208 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $89,490 and the top decile clearing $103,460. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Tennessee?
At the Tennessee median of $89,490 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.02/hr. The top 10% earn around $49.74/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $27.69/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Tennessee-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Tennessee's RPP is 90.9 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.