Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Memphis, TN: $65,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Memphis, TN earns a median $65,809/year (≈ $31.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $71,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Memphis, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $65,809 in 2026, reflecting the competitive nature of the local healthcare job market. The compensation range spans from $57,049 at the 10th percentile to $88,334 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variance in pay based on experience, setting, and productivity. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reveal that this salary level is approximately 11.47% lower than the national median of $74,332 for the same period. The salary structure here reflects not only the value of occupational therapy services delivered but also the number of client visits a COTA can effectively manage in a day.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,049 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,365 | $29.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,809 | $31.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,287 | $38.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,334 | $42.47 |
Median Salary Position
11.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,285 (2026 est.). At $65,809, the local median is 11.47% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Memphis median: $65,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.47% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Memphis, TN earn a median of $65,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.47% lower than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,809 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,590
2025 BLS Actual
$64,010
2026 Current Est.
$65,809
2019–2027 Growth
+9.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 3.9% from $61,590 (2019) to $64,010 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,068 (9.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $57,049 – $62,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,365 – $65,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,809 – $79,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,287 – $88,334 |
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 Memphis
With around 150 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Memphis, the local job market is relatively stable. The cost of living index in the area sits at 92.179, suggesting that while take-home pay might be lower than the national average, the affordability of living in Memphis could provide a favorable balance for professionals in the field. High-paying opportunities often reside within hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities or specialized outpatient clinics, where services’ intensity can drive better compensation. Variations in pay are influenced by various factors, such as the type of employer, productivity expectations, and seasonal contract differences between schools and year-round positions. COTAs can strategically enhance their earnings by considering roles in these higher-paying settings, optimizing their schedules, and staying informed about reimbursement changes affecting occupational therapy assistant pay in Memphis, particularly in the wake of the Medicare cuts that took effect in 2022.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Memphis, TN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Memphis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Memphis?
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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 $64,010 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Memphis 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, 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