Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Maryville, TN: $30.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Maryville, TN runs $30.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,489 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Maryville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,491 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Maryville, TN, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $30.04, reflecting a notable gap from the national hourly median of $35.74. This rate suggests competitive pay for part-time occupational therapy assistants working three days a week in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For per-diem workers, this translates to a flexible and potentially lucrative arrangement that allows them to earn while maintaining a balance in their personal schedules. The hourly range for COTAs in Maryville varies from $22.36 for entry-level positions to $35.74 for experienced professionals, highlighting the potential for growth as assistants enhance their skills and qualifications through avenues like COTA-to-MOT bridge programs.
About the Maryville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.36 | $178.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.03 | $208.25 |
| Median (P50) | $30.04 | $240.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.25 | $258.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.74 | $285.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Maryville
Based on $30.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.04/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Maryville, TN can expect to earn approximately $62,485 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,049. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Maryville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Maryville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,201.64 | $5,207 | $62,485 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.99 | $3,124 | $37,491 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.66 | $2,083 | $24,994 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Maryville) | $30.04 |
| 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 Maryville, TN earn a median of $62,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $65,778.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.04/hr = $37,491/year (purchasing power: $40,840).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,485/year (purchasing power: $68,067).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Maryville grew 17.5% from $24.86/hr (2019) to $29.22/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.89/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 Maryville 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 Maryville
Part-time occupational therapy assistants in Maryville working a typical 24-hour week may expect to earn around $37,343 annually, a figure considerably lower than a full-time assistant's earnings. Per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Maryville can range widely; many bill between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts commanding weekly rates from $1,100 to $1,700. However, it's essential to consider how the decline in agency COTA premium pay post-2022 reimbursement cuts impacts earnings, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient settings. Each work environment presents distinct compensation dynamics; for instance, school district contracts might offer lower pay but come with benefits such as health insurance, which some COTAs find appealing despite higher hourly rates in other settings lacking such coverage. Negotiating hourly rates can be strategic; COTAs should gather local salary data, assess the employer's benefit offerings, and communicate their unique skills to optimize their pay effectively in this evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Maryville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Maryville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Maryville?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Maryville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Maryville?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Maryville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Maryville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Maryville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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