Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kingsport, TN: $65,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kingsport, TN earns a median $65,840/year (≈ $31.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $76,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Kingsport, TN, reflect a compensation structure shaped by the local job market and the healthcare settings prevalent in the area. The projected median annual salary for these professionals in 2026 is $65,840, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332, indicating a gap of approximately 11.42%. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants runs from $54,500 at the 10th percentile to $82,824 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The realities of post-Medicare cut adjustments have influenced pay structures, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), where compensation typically lags behind hospital roles and school-based contracts. Understanding this financial landscape is important for prospective COTAs and those currently considering their career pathways in Kingsport.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,840 | $31.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,172 | $36.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,824 | $39.82 |
Median Salary Position
11.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,324 (2026 est.). At $65,840, the local median is 11.42% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $65,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.42% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $65,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.42% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,840 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,360
2025 BLS Actual
$64,040
2026 Current Est.
$65,840
2019–2027 Growth
+0.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -4.9% from $67,360 (2019) to $64,040 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $330 (0.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $54,500 – $60,380 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,380 – $65,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,840 – $76,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,172 – $82,824 |
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 Kingsport
With 60 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Kingsport, the local job market is stable but competitive, particularly in terms of compensation. The cost of living index in the area stands at 86.447, suggesting that housing and everyday expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries. Generally, hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer higher wages compared to other settings like schools or SNFs, particularly in light of the ongoing impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut which began in 2022. This has created a divergence in pay, with outpatient clinics having the most significant variability. To maximize earning potential, aspiring COTAs should consider seeking roles in hospitals and prioritizing opportunities that offer incentivized weekend or PRN shifts. Strategic planning for certifications and gaining experience in high-demand settings will further support long-term salary growth in occupational therapy assistant pay in Kingsport, TN.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kingsport, TN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kingsport?
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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 $64,040 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kingsport 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, 6-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