Occupational Therapy Assistant in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Tennessee employs 1,300 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $62,420 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $62,420 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $23,910
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $74,000
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $78,950
- Employed in Tennessee
- 1,300
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $68,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Tennessee markets:
- Nashville
- $65,380 (270 employed)
- Memphis
- $64,010 (150 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $61,360 (210 employed)
- Clarksville
- $60,520 (50 employed)
- Knoxville
- $59,930 (210 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,420 median stretches to roughly $67,922 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +23.6%, faster than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 160 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy.
- Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, plus Level II fieldwork).
- Pass the NBCOT COTA exam.
- Apply to the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy for licensure. Renew every two years.
Official requirements: Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy →
Training in Tennessee
Roane State Community College and Southwest Tennessee Community College offer ACOTE-accredited OTA programs. SNFs, school systems, pediatric therapy centers, and hospital rehab departments across Tennessee's four major metros are the primary employers.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers — Associate
- Chattanooga State Community College — Associate
- Cleveland State Community College — Associate
- Columbia State Community College — Associate
Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:
- Atlas Medical LLC — Athens
- Ave Maria Therapy — Bartlett
- Memphis Physical Therapy — Bartlett
- Select Physical Therapy — Bartlett
- Rehabcare — Bristol
- Alliance Pt Partners, LLC — Chattanooga
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.
Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.
Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
First Steps
Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Tennessee?
The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Tennessee is $62,420 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $23,910, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $78,950. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Tennessee?
Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program (typically 2 years, plus Level II fieldwork).
Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Tennessee?
Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.
Which Tennessee metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $65,380, followed by Memphis ($64,010), Chattanooga ($61,360). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +23.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 160 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.