Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mount Juliet, TN: $62,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mount Juliet, TN earns a median $62,984/year (≈ $30.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mount Juliet's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $68,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mount Juliet, TN, earn a median annual salary of $62,984 in 2026, significantly below the national median of $74,332. The local salary range spans from $47,627 at the 10th percentile to $75,714 at the 90th percentile, with these estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026 while accounting for regional price variations. The relatively moderate pay reflects Mount Juliet's job market conditions, where productivity expectations and the volume of visits per day can heavily influence overall compensation. While the cost of living is lower than the national average, this also affects overall pay competitiveness compared to larger metropolitan areas.
About the Mount Juliet Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,627 | $22.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,188 | $26.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,984 | $30.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,714 | $36.41 |
Median Salary Position
15.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Juliet
In Mount Juliet, TN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,087 (2026 est.). At $62,984, the local median is 15.27% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Mount Juliet: You'd be above the median
How Mount Juliet Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mount Juliet median: $62,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Juliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $65,815 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.27% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mount Juliet, TN earn a median of $62,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.27% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $65,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Juliet 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.
Mount Juliet, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,610 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,120
2025 BLS Actual
$61,263
2026 Current Est.
$62,984
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mount Juliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,332 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,307 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,754 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Juliet metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,120 (2019) to $61,263 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,754 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,634 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Juliet 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) | $47,627 – $55,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,188 – $62,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,984 – $69,600 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,600 – $75,714 |
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 Mount Juliet
In terms of job market dynamics, there are currently 9 occupational therapy assistants employed in Mount Juliet, which indicates a niche but vital need for these professionals. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 91.8, suggesting that local wages may have more purchasing power compared to higher-cost areas, though they still struggle to match national averages. Employers that typically offer higher pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers. Factors that create a disparity in occupational therapy assistant pay in Mount Juliet include the setting of work, with hospitals generally compensating more than schools or skilled nursing facilities due to reduced reimbursement impacts on outpatient and SNF services. To maximize earnings in this environment, COTAs can focus on pursuing PRN roles, optimizing productivity during peak hours, and considering contracts that provide additional benefits, particularly for weekend shifts or year-round positions.
More salary data for Mount Juliet, 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 $61,263 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mount Juliet 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 Mount Juliet 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