Occupational Therapists pay range in Chattanooga
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,450 a year or less, while the top 10% make $114,340 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Chattanooga earn between $79,210 and $103,230.
- $58K10th
- $79K25th
- $96KMedian
- $103K75th
- $114K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $90,070 | $7,506 | $43.30 |
| Median | $95,960 | $7,997 | $46.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $79,210 | $6,601 | $38.08 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $103,230 | $8,602 | $49.63 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Chattanooga vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Chattanooga earn 5% less than the Tennessee average ($95,080) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is -4% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $90,070 | $95,960 | $58,450 | $114,340 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $95,080 | $97,700 | $68,520 | $119,070 | 2,490 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Chattanooga
On the average salary of $90,070, a single filer in Chattanooga takes home about $72,194 a year, or $6,016 a month and $2,777 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $72,194 | $6,016 |
| Working in GA | $68,448 | $5,704 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Chattanooga a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chattanooga area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $90,070 buys what about $98,476 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Chattanooga ($46,700). A typical home costs $326,370, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other Tennessee cities
Chattanooga ranks 8th of 9 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Memphis pays the most ($98,130).
- Memphis$98,130
- Nashville$97,890
- Clarksville$94,220
- Jackson$93,970
- Kingsport$91,640
- Morristown$91,080
- Johnson City$90,430
- Chattanooga$90,070
- Knoxville$89,970
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
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Occupational Therapists salary in Chattanooga: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Chattanooga?
$43.30 an hour on average, and $46.14 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $58,450 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,210, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Chattanooga?
About $72,194 a year ($6,016 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $90,070. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Chattanooga than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1122; area Chattanooga, TN-GA (16860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.05, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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