Occupational therapist salary in Tennessee

Occupational therapist earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$57.25 per hour

$119,070 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$51.56 per hour

$107,250 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$46.97 per hour

$97,700 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$39.30 per hour

$81,750 per year

10th percentile

Starting level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$32.94 per hour

$68,520 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Occupational therapist salary by state

How much does an Occupational Therapist earn?

Demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance. The number of individuals who have access to occupational therapy services may increase because of federal health insurance reform. Both rehabilitation and habilitation services are listed among the essential health benefits that insurers will need to cover once reforms are implemented.

In May 2012, the median annual wages for occupational therapists in the top five industries in which these therapists worked were as follows:

Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) - $83,430
Home health care services - $82,310
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists - $77,430
Hospitals; state, local, and private - $75,140
Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private - $66,610

The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $78,810 in 2014, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10 percent in the profession made $112,950, while the bottom 10 percent made $65,020. Occupational therapists that work for scientific research and development services are generally compensated very well, as are the therapists that work in the metropolitan areas of Las Vegas; Beaumont, Texas; and Daytona Beach, Florida.

How do occupational therapist salaries compare to similar careers?

Occupational therapists earn about the same as related careers in Tennessee. On average, they make less than physician assistants but more than nuclear medicine technologists.

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)