Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $29.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Knoxville, TN runs $29.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,614 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,965 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, COTAs (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants) earn a median hourly pay of $29.62. This figure is notably below the national median of $35.74 per hour, highlighting the regional disparity. The pay reflects the typical earnings one might expect in various employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For entry-level positions, hourly rates begin at approximately $11.82, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $36.99 per hour. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, paints a clear picture of the compensation landscape for occupational therapy assistants in Knoxville.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.82 | $94.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.82 | $94.59 |
| Median (P50) | $29.62 | $236.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.14 | $249.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.99 | $295.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $29.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.62/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $61,609 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,543. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.78 | $5,134 | $61,609 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.87 | $3,080 | $36,965 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.91 | $2,054 | $24,643 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Knoxville) | $29.62 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $61,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.11% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.40% below the Tennessee state average of $65,827.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.62/hr = $36,965/year (purchasing power: $39,933).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,609/year (purchasing power: $66,554).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+3.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Knoxville grew -2.0% from $29.40/hr (2019) to $28.81/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.45/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Knoxville
For those considering part-time opportunities, working just three days a week (around 24 hours) could bring an occupational therapy assistant an annual income significantly lower than their full-time peers. In addition to traditional employment, per-diem roles may offer a different financial trajectory, with per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Knoxville typically ranging from $30 to $45 per hour. Moreover, travel contracts for COTAs can yield earnings between $1,100 and $1,700 per week, although agency pay has seen pressure due to recent Medicare reimbursement changes. Variations in hourly pay are commonly observed across employer types in Knoxville; skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation, and school district contracts often reflect differing funding structures. Some COTAs may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, while others prioritize higher hourly wages over benefits. Those working in the field should be prepared to negotiate effectively, leveraging their skills and understanding of local market conditions to optimize their pay.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Knoxville in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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