Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Johnson City, TN: $66,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Johnson City, TN earns a median $66,631/year (≈ $32.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $75,779 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $66,631 in 2026, a figure that reflects the financial realities in the wake of recent Medicare cuts affecting the sector. This salary sits within a range from $50,901 at the 10th percentile to $89,198 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance based on experience and workplace setting. These projections are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight the challenges facing COTAs, particularly those working in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or school districts, as they navigate the reduced reimbursement rates since the implementation of the 15% Medicare cut. As local healthcare facilities adapt to these changes, it’s crucial for prospective and current occupational therapy assistants to be aware of these shifts while considering opportunities in public versus private sectors and the expected productivity benchmarks within Johnson City’s healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,901 | $24.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,349 | $29.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,631 | $32.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,198 | $42.88 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,297 (2026 est.). At $66,631, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $66,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,841 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.36% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $66,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the Tennessee state average of $65,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,631 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,779 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$62,710
2025 BLS Actual
$64,810
2026 Current Est.
$66,631
2019–2027 Growth
+9.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 3.3% from $62,710 (2019) to $64,810 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,793 (9.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $50,901 – $60,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,349 – $66,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,631 – $80,130 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,130 – $89,198 |
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 Johnson City
Analyzing the job market for occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City reveals that there are currently 40 employed in this field, signifying a stable, if competitive environment for recent graduates and current practitioners. The cost of living index for Johnson City stands at 87.928, suggesting a lower than average living expense compared to national figures, which can enhance the purchasing power of those earning within the local range. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities often offer the highest pay due to the complexity of patient needs, while school contracts typically provide more predictable hours but may pay less overall. The disparity in compensation can also be attributed to productivity expectations and the effects of weekend or PRN shifts in higher-paying settings. For COTAs looking to maximize their earnings, targeting positions within hospitals or outpatient clinics, along with considering additional certifications or advanced COTA-to-MOT pathways, may provide a substantial boost to their occupational therapy assistant pay in Johnson City, TN.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Johnson City, TN in 2026?
Is Johnson City, TN a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Johnson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Johnson City?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Johnson City?
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
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 $64,810 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Johnson City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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