Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $32.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Johnson City, TN runs $32.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,980 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City, TN, earn a median hourly pay of $32.04, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74. This hourly rate allows for a comfortable living for full-time workers, but it also appeals to those in part-time positions or with flexible schedules, such as per-diem workers. Typically employed in settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, and home health environments, a three-day workweek could yield around $2,700 monthly before deductions. The hourly range in Johnson City spans from $24.47 for entry-level positions to $42.88 for highly experienced COTAs. This evaluation is drawn from official data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, estimating the pay landscape for occupational therapy assistants in the area.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.47 | $195.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.01 | $232.10 |
| Median (P50) | $32.04 | $256.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.52 | $308.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.88 | $343.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $32.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.04/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $66,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,443. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,281.42 | $5,553 | $66,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.85 | $3,332 | $39,980 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.57 | $2,221 | $26,654 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Johnson City) | $32.04 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $66,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the Tennessee state average of $65,841.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.04/hr = $39,980/year (purchasing power: $45,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,634/year (purchasing power: $75,783).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City grew 3.3% from $30.15/hr (2019) to $31.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Johnson City
Assessing the financial implications for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals a substantial difference in take-home pay compared to full-time roles. For example, a part-time COTA working 24 hours per week might earn roughly $41,544 annually, while full-time employees can anticipate significantly higher figures. Per-diem positions often offer variable pay rates, typically ranging from $30 to $45 per hour, with travel contracts sometimes exceeding $2,000 per week. In Johnson City, rates also fluctuate based on the employer type: skilled nursing facilities may offer lower hourly rates than outpatient clinics, which might provide additional incentives. The decision to accept lower pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance is a common trade-off for many occupational therapy assistants. For those negotiating their hourly pay, focusing on the specific demands of the role and local market trends is essential to secure equitable compensation amidst the backdrop of recent reimbursement cuts and evolving employment conditions.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Johnson City?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Johnson City?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Johnson City?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Johnson City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov