Senior Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Collierville, TN: $78,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of occupational therapy assistants working in Collierville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $78,699/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2011. Strip back Collierville's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,729 in average-cost America. The 19% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, experienced occupational therapy assistants in Collierville, TN can expect a median annual salary of $65,956, with top-tier earners at the 90th percentile earning as much as $78,699. This figure not only reflects the rewards of advanced experience but also presents a notable gap between the median salary and those at the top. Compared to the national average of $74,332, the top occupational therapy assistant salary in Collierville is slightly below the national standard. Achieving this high pay requires dedication to continuous professional development, potentially through gaining advanced certifications or specializations, which position senior occupational therapy assistants favorably in the local job market.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Experienced occupational therapy assistants at the top of the pay scale in Collierville earn between $72,027 and $78,699 per year (2026 est.). This $33,090 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Collierville median of $65,956 sits 11.27% below the US median.
Top OTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Collierville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,956 | $74,332 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,027 | $81,384 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $78,699 | $92,303 |
In Collierville, experienced occupational therapy assistants (P90) earn 19.32% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay in Collierville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN occupational therapy assistants with additional specialty certifications within the occupational therapy field earn significantly above the $65,956 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Collierville employers.
Specialty Focus
Occupational Therapy Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the occupational therapy field in Collierville command premium compensation, often reaching the $72,027–$78,699 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Collierville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced occupational therapy assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured occupational therapy assistants in Collierville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Collierville
Clinical Occupational Therapy Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Occupational Therapy Assistant
5-10 yearsOccupational Therapy Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCollierville ranks #16 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner occupational therapy assistant salary (90th percentile: $78,699).
Top 10% occupational therapy assistant compensation in Collierville ($78,699) is 3.39% below the Tennessee average P90 ($81,465).
2019 BLS Actual
$70,094
2025 BLS Actual
$76,548
2026 Current Est.
$78,699
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,094 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,697 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,967 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,079 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,292 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,548 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,910 | Projected |
Top-earning occupational therapy assistants (90th percentile) in Collierville saw their compensation grow 9.2% from $70,094 in 2019 to $76,548 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.81% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $80,910 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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.
Maximizing Your Occupational Therapy Assistant Earnings in Collierville
Compensation for senior occupational therapy assistants varies based on specialization and work environment. Specialties such as pediatric therapy, geriatric care, and mental health support are in high demand and often command premium salaries. Different employer types also influence pay; positions in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer higher wages compared to school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Opportunities for advancement abound; professionals can progress to roles such as lead OTA, clinic operations coordinator, or even pursue the COTA-to-MOT bridge to enhance qualifications. Additionally, credentials like the NBCOT certification and state licensing elevate earning potential. Other factors impacting compensation include the setting of employment—hospitals generally provide more favorable pay than schools or skilled nursing facilities—alongside elements like productivity expectations and the recent Medicare reimbursement challenges affecting service delivery in these settings.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced occupational therapy assistants make in Collierville in 2026?
What drives higher occupational therapy assistant pay in Collierville?
What certifications boost occupational therapy assistant salary in Collierville?
Can experienced occupational therapy assistants make six figures in Collierville?
How much does occupational therapy assistant salary increase over time in Collierville?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $76,548 for occupational therapy assistants in the Collierville metro area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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