Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Nashville, TN: $67,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Nashville, TN earns a median $67,217/year (≈ $32.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $69,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering the occupational therapy assistant salary in Nashville, a notable $67,217 is projected for 2026, a figure that falls approximately 9.57% below the national median of $74,332. The salary spectrum is wide, ranging from $26,299 at the lower end (P10) to $84,171 for those earning at the high end (P90). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reveals the financial potential for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Nashville. Bridging from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can significantly enhance lifetime earnings, making ongoing education a crucial element in career planning for OTAs. The job market in Nashville is solid, reflecting the demand for qualified professionals to support the health and rehabilitation needs of the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,299 | $12.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,393 | $30.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,217 | $32.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,783 | $37.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,171 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
9.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,872 (2026 est.). At $67,217, the local median is 9.57% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Nashville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Nashville median: $67,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,835 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.57% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nashville, TN earn a median of $67,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.57% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% above the Tennessee state average of $65,835.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,217 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,772 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,690
2025 BLS Actual
$65,380
2026 Current Est.
$67,217
2019–2027 Growth
+17.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,106 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 11.4% from $58,690 (2019) to $65,380 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,106 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,416 (17.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $26,299 – $63,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,393 – $67,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,217 – $78,783 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,783 – $84,171 |
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 Nashville
In Nashville, approximately 270 occupational therapy assistants are employed, navigating a job market that accommodates various settings and practice environments. The cost of living index sits at 96.338, meaning that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power for OTAs can still be quite respectable in the local context. Employers in skilled nursing facilities generally offer better pay compared to outpatient clinics and school districts; however, factors like setting, productivity expectations, and various contract terms deeply affect salaries. The disparity in pay can often be traced back to the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has specifically pressured salaries in SNF and outpatient settings. To maximize pay in Nashville, OTAs should seek positions in high-reimbursement environments, consider weekend or PRN work for premium rates, and remain open to continuing education opportunities that could elevate their professional standing and salary potential.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Nashville, TN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Nashville?
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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 $65,380 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Nashville 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