Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bartlett, TN: $66,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bartlett, TN earns a median $66,185/year (≈ $31.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $72,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bartlett, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $66,185 in 2026, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national average of $74,332. The local salary range for these professionals spans from $46,410 at the 10th percentile to $79,438 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. As individuals often bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) pathways, those pursuing additional qualifications can significantly enhance their lifetime earnings. The demand for skilled occupational therapy assistants in the area remains stable, indicating a solid employment landscape in Bartlett.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,452 | $26.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,185 | $31.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,557 | $34.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,438 | $38.19 |
Median Salary Position
10.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,028 (2026 est.). At $66,185, the local median is 10.96% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be above the median
How Bartlett Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $66,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,790 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bartlett, TN earn a median of $66,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $65,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bartlett, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,097 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,769
2025 BLS Actual
$64,376
2026 Current Est.
$66,185
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,769 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,964 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,666 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,935 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,769 (2019) to $64,376 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,276 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,410 – $55,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,452 – $66,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,185 – $72,557 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,557 – $79,438 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Bartlett
In the local job market, 13 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, which signals a tight-knit community of professionals supporting healthcare services in the region. The cost of living index in Bartlett stands at 91.8, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power for residents is relatively favorable. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, though the potential for greater earnings can also be found in specialized settings. Factors influencing the pay scale include the work environment, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on service delivery. Occupational therapy assistants could maximize their pay by targeting employment in high-demand sectors like home health agencies and taking on weekend or PRN shifts, enhancing their overall remuneration within the Bartlett job market.
More salary data for Bartlett, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,376 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bartlett metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bartlett is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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