OT Assistant Salary

Morristown vs Nashville: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Morristown, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Morristown, TN
$65,165
$31.33/hr
Nashville, TN
$67,217
$32.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorristown, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$65,165$67,217
Hourly Rate$31.33$32.31
Entry Level (P10)$47,573$26,299
25th Percentile$55,841$63,393
75th Percentile$69,385$78,783
Top Earner (P90)$76,333$84,171
Total Employed6270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morristown ($65,165) and Nashville ($67,217) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MorristownNashvilleMedian Salary$65,165$67,217Entry Level (P10)$47,573$26,299Top Earner (P90)$76,333$84,171US Median $74,332

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morristown.

The salary gap between Morristown and Nashville is $2,052 (3.15%). Nashville's median is -9.57% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morristown spans $28,760,Nashville spans $57,872. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Morristown
P10 (Entry)$47,573
P25$55,841
Median$65,165
P75$69,385
P90 (Top)$76,333
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$26,299
P25$63,393
Median$67,217
P75$78,783
P90 (Top)$84,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morristown ($70,986 effective) pays 1.74% more than Nashville ($69,772 effective).

Morristown
Nominal: $65,165
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $70,986
Nashville
Nominal: $67,217
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $69,772

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morristown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,986)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,217/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,171)
  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Morristown grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Morristown, TN

+5.6%

$59,995 (2024) → $63,384 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+11.4%

$58,690 (2019) → $65,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Morristown or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $67,217/year, compared to Morristown at $65,165/year — a difference of $2,052 (3.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morristown and Nashville?

Morristown occupational therapy assistants earn $31.33/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $32.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morristown to Nashville as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morristown and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morristown = $70,986, Nashville = $69,772), job availability (6 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Morristown vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $47,573 in Morristown and $26,299 in Nashville. The Morristown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov