Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $32.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Nashville, TN runs $32.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,217 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,327 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, Tennessee, an occupational therapy assistant earns a median hourly rate of $32.31, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly pay can provide a stable income for part-time workers, such as those working three days a week in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants, the hourly rate reflects their flexibility and varied roles, enabling them to adapt their schedules to hospitals or schools as needed. Nashville's occupational therapy assistant hourly wage ranges from $12.65 for entry-level positions up to $40.47 for seasoned veterans, highlighting the potential for significant growth as one gains experience in specialized environments.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.65 | $101.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.47 | $243.78 |
| Median (P50) | $32.31 | $258.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.88 | $303.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.47 | $323.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $32.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.31/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $67,211 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,776. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,292.53 | $5,601 | $67,211 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $775.52 | $3,361 | $40,327 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.01 | $2,240 | $26,885 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Nashville) | $32.31 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $67,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.57% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% above the Tennessee state average of $65,835.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.31/hr = $40,327/year (purchasing power: $41,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,211/year (purchasing power: $69,766).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Nashville grew 11.4% from $28.22/hr (2019) to $31.43/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.22/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
While full-time occupational therapy assistants can enjoy all the benefits associated with a stable income, those working a part-time schedule of 24 hours per week will take home around $40,000 annually, but without the fringe benefits that full-time employees typically receive. For per diem occupational therapy assistants, pay ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts often paying between $1,100 and $1,700 weekly. Differences in hourly rates across employer types in Nashville create a backdrop where skilled nursing facilities may offer lower pay due to budget constraints, while hospital rehabilitation units or outpatient clinics might provide more competitive compensation. Some COTAs might accept slightly lower hourly rates for the inclusion of health benefits, emphasizing the trade-offs between pay and job security. Negotiating pay in Nashville requires awareness of these dynamics and an understanding of local demand for physical therapists, allowing professionals to advocate effectively for their worth based on their specific practice settings.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Nashville 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 Nashville. 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