Recreational Therapist salary in Tennessee
Recreational Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $51,910 a year ($24.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $61,960. Tennessee ranks 35th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $55,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 25th percentile | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Median | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| 75th percentile | $61,220 | $29.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Average (mean) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
Half of recreational therapists 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 | $4,325.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,162.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,996.54 |
| Weekly | $998.27 |
| Hourly | $24.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,270 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $53,400 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,590 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. 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 recreational therapist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Tennessee is $51,910 a year, or $24.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Tennessee earn at least $78,850 a year. The top 25% earn $61,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,080 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $48,090 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Tennessee?
About 150 recreational therapists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.