Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Brentwood, TN: $63,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Brentwood, TN earns a median $63,479/year (≈ $30.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $69,149 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Brentwood, TN, can expect a projected median annual salary of $63,479 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. This local figure reflects an earnings range from approximately $48,880 at the 10th percentile to $77,422 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive but compressed pay scale influenced by the local market. The salary data is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level information and adjusted for regional price variations. Given the focus on productivity expectations, the number of visits per day can significantly shape compensation, making familiarity with local demand essential for prospective OTAs hoping to thrive in Brentwood's healthcare setting.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,799 | $26.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,479 | $30.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,312 | $33.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,422 | $37.22 |
Median Salary Position
14.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,542 (2026 est.). At $63,479, the local median is 14.6% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be above the median
How Brentwood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $63,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,781 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.60% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brentwood, TN earn a median of $63,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.60% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the Tennessee state average of $65,781.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,149 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,529
2025 BLS Actual
$61,744
2026 Current Est.
$63,479
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,529 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,751 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,869 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,444 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,744 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,529 (2019) to $61,744 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,734 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,880 – $54,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,799 – $63,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,479 – $69,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,312 – $77,422 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Brentwood
In terms of job availability, Brentwood has about seven occupational therapy assistants currently employed, suggesting a tight local workforce. The cost of living index in the area stands at 91.8, which is below the national average, offering some relief regarding living expenses. However, this also means that pay must be carefully assessed against these living costs to determine actual purchasing power. Employment within skilled nursing facilities typically commands higher wages, particularly when compared to positions in school districts or outpatient clinics. The variance in pay can also be attributed to factors such as productivity demands, the effect of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services, and differentiated rates for weekend or PRN work. To maximize pay potential in this constrained market, OTAs might focus on acquiring additional certifications, considering roles that offer bonuses or higher rates, and seeking out positions that provide year-round contracts rather than those that only cover school-year employment.
More salary data for Brentwood, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Brentwood, TN in 2026?
Is Brentwood, TN a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Brentwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Brentwood?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Brentwood?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,744 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood 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