Occupational Therapist Pay

La Vergne vs Nashville: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between La Vergne, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Vergne, TN
$94,452
$45.41/hr
Nashville, TN
$103,709
$49.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vergne, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$94,452$103,709
Hourly Rate$45.41$49.86
Entry Level (P10)$71,429$72,750
25th Percentile$79,517$84,623
75th Percentile$108,358$110,532
Top Earner (P90)$120,120$125,568
Total Employed8710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vergne ($94,452) and Nashville ($103,709) occupational therapist salaries.La VergneNashvilleMedian Salary$94,452$103,709Entry Level (P10)$71,429$72,750Top Earner (P90)$120,120$125,568US Median $103,400

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between La Vergne and Nashville is $9,257 (9.80%). Nashville's median is +0.30% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vergne spans $48,691,Nashville spans $52,818. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$71,429
P25$79,517
Median$94,452
P75$108,358
P90 (Top)$120,120
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$72,750
P25$84,623
Median$103,709
P75$110,532
P90 (Top)$125,568

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($107,651 effective) pays 4.63% more than La Vergne ($102,889 effective).

La Vergne
Nominal: $94,452
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $102,889
Nashville
Nominal: $103,709
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $107,651

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vergne if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,709/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,568)
  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,651)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in La Vergne grew 18.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.2% growth in Nashville over the same period.

La Vergne, TN

+18.8%

$77,154 (2024) → $91,648 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+22.2%

$82,380 (2019) → $100,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: La Vergne or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $103,709/year, compared to La Vergne at $94,452/year — a difference of $9,257 (9.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vergne and Nashville?

La Vergne occupational therapists earn $45.41/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $49.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vergne to Nashville as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vergne and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vergne = $102,889, Nashville = $107,651), job availability (8 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in La Vergne vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $71,429 in La Vergne and $72,750 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.
JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov