📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Occupational Therapist Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Tennessee · 12.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$81,998
per year
Median
$80,529
per year
Hourly
$39.42
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$56,300
25th Percentile — Junior$67,731
50th Percentile — Median$80,529
75th Percentile — Senior$93,451
90th Percentile — Top Earners$101,750
💡 Top-earning Occupational Therapists in Tennessee make up to $101,750 per year. The job market in Tennessee is rated strong, with key industries including Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$67.1k
2021
$69.8k
2022
$72.7k
2023
$75.7k
2024
$78.8k
2025
$82.0k
2026
📈 Occupational Therapist salaries in Tennessee have followed the national trend with 4.1% annual growth. The strong demand in Tennessee's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Occupational Therapist Salary by City in Tennessee
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Nashville $77,898 -5.0% High
Memphis $68,878 -16.0% High
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Occupational Therapist Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee is home to a strong job market for Occupational Therapists. The state's key industries — Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $81,998 per year, Tennessee's Occupational Therapist salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Tennessee (index: 0.88) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Tennessee can expect to earn $56,300–$67,731, while experienced Occupational Therapists can command $93,451–$101,750.

Looking ahead, the Occupational Therapist profession in Tennessee is projected to grow at 4.1% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Healthcare continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Occupational Therapist salary in Tennessee is $81,998 per year in 2026, which is 12.0% below the national average of $93,180.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Occupational Therapists the highest wages in Tennessee due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Tennessee has a strong job market with major industries in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism. This makes it one of the better states for Occupational Therapist employment.
  • At $81,998/year, Tennessee Occupational Therapist salaries are 12.0% lower than the national average of $93,180/year.