Recreation Worker salary in Knoxville, TN
Recreation Workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $34,850 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,080 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $33,580. There are 0.95 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44). The average (mean) salary is $35,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,970 | $11.04 |
| 25th percentile | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Median | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Average (mean) | $35,710 | $17.17 |
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 | $2,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.38 |
| Weekly | $670.19 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,460 | 1,070 |
| Jackson, TN | $33,550 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,700 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $32,240 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,080 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $30,070 | 80 |
| Morristown, TN | $29,720 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,520 | 100 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,010 | 150 |
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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Residential Advisor | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,270 | $15.99 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,650 | $14.74 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,280 | $13.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Skincare Specialist | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $34,700 | $16.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Concierge | $33,310 | $16.01 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $34,850 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $48,080 a year. The top 25% earn $42,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,970 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $29,370 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 400 recreation workers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.