Tennessee ranks 25th of 51 states and D.C. for occupational therapists pay, trailing top-paying California ($119,470) by $23,440 — a 24% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $67,920 to $115,280 — a $47,360 spread, 25% tighter than the national $62,740 range.
Occupational Therapists are less concentrated in Tennessee than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.77 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.30× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $67,920 | $32.66 |
| 25th percentile | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| 75th percentile | $104,190 | $50.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,280 | $55.42 |
| Mean (average) | $93,100 | $44.76 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $96,030 | n/a |
| California | $119,470 | +24% |
| Oregon | $106,840 | +11% |
| Nevada | $104,770 | +9% |
| Colorado | $103,970 | +8% |
| Oklahoma | $103,510 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $103,340 | +8% |
| Washington | $102,360 | +7% |
| Arizona | $102,220 | +6% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,030 | 3,830 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,580 | 4,500 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $94,920 | 5,270 |
| Management Analysts | $97,410 | 12,750 |
| Civil Engineers | $97,730 | 4,660 |
| Engineers, All Other | $97,990 | 4,610 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Occupational Therapists salary in Tennessee?
The mean occupational therapists salary in Tennessee is $93,100 per year. The median (middle) salary is $96,030 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Occupational Therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level occupational therapistss (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $67,920 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $80,340 per year.
What is the highest Occupational Therapists salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $115,280 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $104,190 per year.
How does the Tennessee Occupational Therapists salary compare to the national average?
The median occupational therapists salary in Tennessee is $96,030, which is -2% below national average of $98,340.