Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Cookeville, TN: $62,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Cookeville, TN earns a median $62,530/year (≈ $30.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $68,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $62,530 in Cookeville, TN, a figure that falls significantly below the national average of $74,332. Salary ranges for this profession in the area are notably broad, from $46,615 at the 10th percentile to $74,305 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight how variations in practice settings and productivity levels can impact earnings. Given the relatively low cost of living index in Cookeville, which sits at 91.8, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Cookeville reflects both the local demand for these professionals and the value placed on outpatient and skilled nursing services following recent shifts in Medicare reimbursement policies.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,615 | $22.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,235 | $26.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,272 | $32.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,305 | $35.73 |
Median Salary Position
15.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,690 (2026 est.). At $62,530, the local median is 15.88% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be above the median
How Cookeville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $62,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,821 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.88% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $62,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.88% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $65,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville 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.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,744
2025 BLS Actual
$60,821
2026 Current Est.
$62,530
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,744 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,947 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,371 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,569 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,744 (2019) to $60,821 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,543 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $46,615 – $54,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,235 – $62,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,530 – $67,272 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,272 – $74,305 |
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 Cookeville
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Cookeville employs only seven professionals, indicating a niche but stable demand. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the affordability of the area can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for positions demanding higher productivity expectations. Factors such as weekend or PRN shifts, school-year versus year-round contracts, and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursements create a discrepancy in pay across settings. For COTAs or those aspiring to enhance their earnings in this market, pursuing contract opportunities with outpatient clinics or leveraging AOTA resources for professional development can be effective strategies to maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Cookeville, TN.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Cookeville?
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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 $60,821 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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