Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Jackson, TN: $66,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Jackson, TN earns a median $66,394/year (≈ $31.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $72,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Jackson, TN, can anticipate a median annual salary of $66,394 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $74,332. The local salary range is expected to vary significantly from $46,625 at the lower tenth percentile to $80,114 at the upper ninetieth percentile, showcasing the diversity of compensation in this field. These projections are generated based on the 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional price disparities. With Jackson's relatively low cost of living index at 91.8, the job market could offer unique opportunities and challenges for those entering the occupational therapy sector, especially in terms of productivity expectations tied to patient visits per day.
About the Jackson Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,625 | $22.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,881 | $26.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,394 | $31.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,114 | $38.51 |
Median Salary Position
10.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,489 (2026 est.). At $66,394, the local median is 10.68% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be above the median
How Jackson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Jackson median: $66,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,801 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.68% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jackson, TN earn a median of $66,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.68% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% above the Tennessee state average of $65,801.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson 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.
Jackson, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,394 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,325 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,941
2025 BLS Actual
$64,579
2026 Current Est.
$66,394
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,941 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,579 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $54,941 (2019) to $64,579 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,318 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $46,625 – $55,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,881 – $66,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,394 – $73,040 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,040 – $80,114 |
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 Jackson
In the Jackson area, the employment outlook for occupational therapy assistants is modest, with only 16 professionals currently in the field. The cost-of-living reality means take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost regions, yet the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services remains a concern. Employers across various settings, such as outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities, compensate differently with hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offering the highest salaries. The range in pay is driven by productivity targets, the specific workplace environment, and variations in contract terms, especially between school-year and year-round positions. To maximize earning potential in Jackson, those in the field may benefit from seeking positions at major hospitals or exploring opportunities in home health agencies, where demand continues to grow.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Jackson, TN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Jackson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Jackson?
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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 $64,579 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Jackson 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 Jackson 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