Occupational Therapist salary in Tennessee
Occupational Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $46.17 per hour, about $96,030 a year, 2% below the U.S. median of $47.28. The middle half earn between $38.62 and $50.09 per hour. The highest median among Tennessee metro areas is in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, at $49.18 per hour. Source: BLS, May 2024.
- $46.17median pay per hour
- $96,030median pay per year
- 2,490employed in Tennessee
- #24of 50 states by median pay
Occupational Therapist pay in Tennessee: percentiles
| Level | Tennessee per hour | Tennessee per year | U.S. per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $32.66 | $67,930 | $32.25 |
| Lower quartile | $38.62 | $80,330 | $38.70 |
| Median | $46.17 | $96,030 | $47.28 |
| Upper quartile | $50.09 | $104,190 | $53.11 |
| Top 10% | $55.42 | $115,270 | $62.42 |
Occupational Therapist pay by metro area in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median / hr | Median / year | Employed | vs Tennessee median | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49.18 | $102,280 | 690 | 7% above | $51.05 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47.36 | $98,500 | 500 | 3% above | $51.38 |
| Morristown, TN | $46.07 | $95,820 | 40 | in line with | $53.34 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45.73 | $95,120 | 30 | 1% below | $51.92 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $43.95 | $91,410 | 100 | 5% below | $50.84 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $43.20 | $89,860 | 110 | 6% below | $47.50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $42.76 | $88,950 | 90 | 7% below | $48.63 |
| Knoxville, TN | $40.57 | $84,390 | 310 | 12% below | $43.83 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39.39 | $81,930 | 290 | 15% below | $43.07 |
| Jackson, TN | $39.04 | $81,200 | 80 | 15% below | $45.65 |
Metro areas with 30 or more workers in the BLS sample. After cost of living divides the median by the BEA regional price index (U.S. = 100).
Occupational Therapist pay in states next to Tennessee
| State | Median / hr | Median / year | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $45.87 | $95,410 | 1% below Tennessee |
| Arkansas | $47.76 | $99,350 | 3% above Tennessee |
| Georgia | $47.45 | $98,690 | 3% above Tennessee |
| Kentucky | $43.87 | $91,250 | 5% below Tennessee |
| Mississippi | $44.39 | $92,330 | 4% below Tennessee |
| Missouri | $45.00 | $93,600 | 3% below Tennessee |
| North Carolina | $45.47 | $94,580 | 2% below Tennessee |
| Virginia | $48.34 | $100,540 | 5% above Tennessee |
What employers are posting in Tennessee
- 5roles with published pay
- $52.50median pay per hour
- $44–$60typical published range
- 2employers hiring
| Employer | Roles | Median pay / hour |
|---|---|---|
| Amedisys | 4 | $54.38 |
| CommonSpirit Health | 1 | $40.17 |
Midpoints of pay ranges in 5 postings collected October 15, 2026. Posted pay is a different measure from the BLS survey above and can run higher or lower.
Occupational Therapist jobs in Tennessee · Occupational Therapist salary nationwide · Tennessee state guide
Common questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Tennessee?
The median is $46.17 per hour, about $96,030 a year. The lowest 10% earn under $32.66 and the top 10% earn over $55.42 (BLS, May 2024).
Which Tennessee city pays occupational therapists the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has the highest median at $49.18 per hour. See the metro table for the rest and for pay after cost of living.
Where does Tennessee rank for occupational therapist pay?
Tennessee ranks 24th of 50 states by median occupational therapist pay.
Is this the same as the pay in job postings?
No. BLS figures come from a survey of employers and cover all workers in the occupation. Posted pay is the range an employer lists on one open role. Both are useful: use the survey for the market and the posting for a specific job.
What do employers near you pay occupational therapists? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
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Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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Your OT pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Tennessee list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- AmedisysHarrogate, TN · 4 postings$54.38/ hr$44–$60
- AmedisysVenice, FL · 5 postings$78.48/ hr$52–$89
- Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 4 postings$67.73/ hr$54–$83
- CommonSpirit HealthNORTHRIDGE, CA · 9 postings$64.73/ hr$48–$81
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Tennessee list
2What they are offering now
5 OT postings with published pay in Tennessee, 5 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 5 OT roles
- Occupational TherapistPermanent$52.50–$60.00/ hour
- Occupational TherapistPermanent$48.75–$56.25/ hour
+ 3 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.