Tennessee Median
$27,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-29% vs US median
US median $39,160
State Rank
#26 of 27
40 employed here
How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make in Tennessee?
Occupational Therapy Aides in Tennessee take home a median of $27,840 annually — roughly $13.38 an hour — which runs 29% below the national median of $39,160.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $25,700 while the top 10% make $40,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $25,700 and $38,490 a year.
Occupational Therapy Aide salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,700 | $12.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $25,700 | $12.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $27,840 | $13.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,490 | $18.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 26th out of 27 states and territories for Occupational Therapy Aide pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Occupational Therapy Aide salary in other states
North Carolina $66,190New York $46,220Washington $45,890Nebraska $44,980Connecticut $44,840New Jersey $44,470California $43,480New Mexico $43,170Massachusetts $40,160Colorado $40,110District of Columbia $39,620Michigan $39,050Missouri $38,890Indiana $38,250Georgia $38,090Texas $37,180Pennsylvania $37,100Wisconsin $36,760Nevada $36,440Ohio $36,380Oklahoma $34,670Maryland $33,310Idaho $32,590South Carolina $31,950Louisiana $28,560Mississippi $24,300
Working as an Occupational Therapy Aide in Tennessee
Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Occupational Therapy Aides in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($27,840) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Occupational Therapy Aide make in Tennessee?
The median Occupational Therapy Aide salary in Tennessee is $27,840 per year, or about $13.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,700 at the entry level to $40,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Occupational Therapy Aides about 29% less than the national median of $39,160. Tennessee ranks 26th out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Occupational Therapy Aides?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,840 a year. About 40 Occupational Therapy Aides are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Occupational Therapy Aide salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.