Recreation Worker salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Recreation Workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $32,240 a year ($15.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,480 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $33,580. There are 0.92 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $34,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,770 | $11.43 |
| 25th percentile | $29,980 | $14.42 |
| Median | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 75th percentile | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Average (mean) | $34,560 | $16.62 |
Half of recreation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,686.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,343.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,240 |
| Weekly | $620 |
| Hourly | $15.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | $39,040 | 60 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,460 | 1,070 |
| Savannah, GA | $37,030 | 370 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,080 | 4,420 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $35,250 | 170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $34,850 | 400 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $34,130 | 240 |
| Jackson, TN | $33,550 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,700 | 970 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,080 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $30,070 | 80 |
| Gainesville, GA | $30,030 | 160 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,860 | 460 |
| Morristown, TN | $29,720 | 70 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,090 | 100 |
| Hinesville, GA | $28,790 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,520 | 100 |
| Albany, GA | $28,070 | 120 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $27,930 | 260 |
| Rome, GA | $26,930 | 40 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $24,240 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,010 | 150 |
| Dalton, GA | $22,980 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for recreation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Washington | $44,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 |
| California | $39,780 |
| Oregon | $39,610 |
| Colorado | $38,820 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 |
| New York | $38,040 |
| Alaska | $37,510 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,860 | $13.88 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Residential Advisor | $32,750 | $15.74 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,450 | $12.72 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,380 | $14.61 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,030 | $12.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Concierge | $35,350 | $17.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $32,240 a year, or $15.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $45,480 a year. The top 25% earn $41,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,770 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $29,980 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 250 recreation workers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.