Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Morristown, TN: $65,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Morristown, TN earns a median $65,165/year (≈ $31.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Morristown's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $70,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Morristown, TN, the projected median annual occupational therapy assistant salary for 2026 is $65,165, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $47,573 at the 10th percentile to $76,333 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price parities, reflect the localized economic context of Morristown where the cost of living index sits at 91.8, below the national average. As the job market evolves, professionals considering a COTA-to-MOT bridge may find that further education can lead to significant lifetime earnings, providing a clear path for career advancement in a competitive field marked by increasing demands for occupational therapy services.
About the Morristown Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,573 | $22.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,841 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,165 | $31.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,385 | $33.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,333 | $36.70 |
Median Salary Position
12.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
In Morristown, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,760 (2026 est.). At $65,165, the local median is 12.33% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Morristown: You'd be above the median
How Morristown Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Morristown median: $65,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morristown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,823 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.33% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morristown, TN earn a median of $65,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% below the Tennessee state average of $65,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morristown 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.
Morristown, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,925
2025 BLS Actual
$63,384
2026 Current Est.
$65,165
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Morristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,178 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,117 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,327 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morristown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,925 (2019) to $63,384 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,071 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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) | $47,573 – $55,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,841 – $65,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,165 – $69,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,385 – $76,333 |
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 Morristown
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is limited, with only six individuals employed in this area, indicating possible competition for positions. The relatively low cost of living in Morristown suggests that take-home pay can stretch further than in higher-cost regions. In terms of potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs typically offer higher pay compared to schools and outpatient clinics. Salary variation may stem from factors such as job settings, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Morristown may benefit from seeking roles in higher-paying settings or considering weekend and PRN opportunities that often come with premium rates. Understanding these dynamics can greatly influence how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Morristown and optimize career paths.
More salary data for Morristown, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,384 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Morristown 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 Morristown 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