Recreation Worker Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Recreation Workers in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$33,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#32 of 51
3,420 employed here

How much does a Recreation Worker make in Tennessee?

A Recreation Worker working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $33,580 per year, or about $16.14 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $36,560 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $23,960 while the top 10% make $46,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,540 and $40,040 a year.

Recreation Worker salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,960$11.52
25th percentile (early career)$29,540$14.20
50th percentile (median)$33,580$16.14
75th percentile (experienced)$40,040$19.25
90th percentile (top earners)$46,550$22.38

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Recreation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$46,460
2Washington$44,890
3South Dakota$42,270
4Hawaii$41,000
5California$39,780

Working as a Recreation Worker in Tennessee

Nationally, about 331,000 people work as Recreation Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($33,580) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Recreation Worker make in Tennessee?
The median Recreation Worker salary in Tennessee is $33,580 per year, or about $16.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,960 at the entry level to $46,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Recreation Workers about 8% less than the national median of $36,560. Tennessee ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Recreation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,580 a year. About 3,420 Recreation Workers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Recreation Worker salary report

Related salaries

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$42,240
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$32,150
median pay · 398,000 employed

Costume Attendant

$50,400
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Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other

$41,600
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.