Occupational Therapist Salary in Johnson City, TN: $97,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Johnson City, TN earns a median $97,845/year (≈ $47.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $111,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual earnings for occupational therapists in Johnson City, Tennessee, are projected to be $97,845, which is slightly below the national median of $103,400. This salary reflects the local employment landscape, where occupational therapists can expect to earn between $60,929 at the lower end of the spectrum to $120,044 at the upper end, according to data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys. Professionals have diverse workplace options, including hospitals, schools, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), each offering different compensation structures. Therapists who work in a hospital setting generally earn more, while those in schools often find compensation may be less favorable, particularly when balancing year-round contracts versus academic-year positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,929 | $29.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,985 | $38.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,845 | $47.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,636 | $52.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,044 | $57.71 |
Median Salary Position
5.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,115 (2026 est.). At $97,845, the local median is 5.37% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be above the median
How Johnson City Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $97,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $98,933 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -5.37% less |
Occupational Therapists in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $97,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.37% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 1.10% below the Tennessee state average of $98,933.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,279 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,830
2025 BLS Actual
$94,940
2026 Current Est.
$97,845
2019–2027 Growth
+16.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 9.3% from $86,830 (2019) to $94,940 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,009 (16.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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 3.06% 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) | $60,929 – $79,985 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,985 – $97,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,845 – $108,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,636 – $120,044 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Johnson City
With a workforce of 90 occupational therapists in Johnson City, the local job market for this profession is relatively stable, yet it faces unique challenges and advantages. The cost of living index in Johnson City is 87.928, suggesting that take-home pay offers decent purchasing power relative to the national average. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units usually provide the highest salaries, followed by outpatient clinics and mental health facilities. Factors influencing the pay differential include workplace setting, availability of specialty certifications like CHT, expectations around productivity, and the implications of Medicare cuts on reimbursement rates for SNFs and outpatient therapy. Therapists seeking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in Johnson City, TN, might consider pursuing advanced certifications, engaging in specialized practice areas, or negotiating contracts that align with a year-round workload.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Johnson City, TN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Johnson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Johnson City?
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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.
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 $94,940 for occupational therapistsin the Johnson City metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov