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Occupational Therapy Salary in Tennessee: Is It a Good Career?

Tennessee · 2026 BLS salary data

Occupational Therapy pay in Tennessee

The median wage is $97,700/yr — 3% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Tennesseeranks #30 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Tennessee

Real BLS state-level figures for Occupational Therapy.

Median salary
$97,700/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$81,750 – $107,250
National median
$100,330/yr
Employed in Tennessee
2,490

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Tennessee

Salary alone can mislead — Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
91.9
Nominal median
$97,700
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $106,311
State income tax
None

Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #17 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #30 on raw salary.

Tennessee levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do occupational therapy professionals make in Tennessee?

The median annual wage is $97,700 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $81,750 and $107,250. That's 3% below the national median.

Is Tennessee a good state for occupational therapy?

By raw pay, Tennessee ranks #30 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $106,311. Because Tennessee costs 8% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #17 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #30 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are occupational therapy professionals in demand in Tennessee?

About 2,490 people work in this field in Tennessee (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +13.8% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Occupational Therapy nationally — Tennessee pay is 3% below the national median. See the full Occupational Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — occupational therapy combines strong pay, much-faster-than-average growth, and highly meaningful work. The main hurdle is the required master's or doctorate and the debt that comes with it.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Deeply meaningful, hands-on rehabilitation work
  • Varied settings and populations
  • Good work-life balance relative to many health roles

Cons

  • Requires a master's or doctorate (OTD)
  • Significant graduate debt
  • Physically active, sometimes demanding
  • Productivity pressure in some clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting meaningful, hands-on health care
  • Those who can invest in a graduate degree
  • Anyone valuing autonomy and patient relationships

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to pursue graduate study
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Occupational Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.