Tennessee Median
$51,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#35 of 48
150 employed here
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in Tennessee?
Recreational Therapists in Tennessee take home a median of $51,910 annually — roughly $24.96 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $61,960.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $37,080 while the top 10% make $78,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,090 and $61,220 a year.
Recreational Therapist salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,090 | $23.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,910 | $24.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,220 | $29.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 35th out of 48 states and territories for Recreational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Recreational Therapist salary in other states
California $98,170District of Columbia $95,640New Hampshire $82,280Nevada $78,730Washington $77,860Minnesota $76,360Colorado $66,580Oregon $66,530New York $65,520Hawaii $64,500Maryland $64,300Vermont $63,380Connecticut $63,240Nebraska $62,980Massachusetts $62,820Arizona $62,610Texas $62,490Michigan $61,700Virginia $61,270Ohio $60,770New Jersey $60,400Wisconsin $59,350Kentucky $59,240Pennsylvania $58,940Missouri $58,620North Dakota $58,370Florida $57,980Maine $57,560Alabama $57,360Utah $56,640Iowa $56,140Illinois $54,910Indiana $53,770Georgia $52,010Louisiana $51,150Delaware $51,110Montana $51,110North Carolina $51,030Oklahoma $50,480Idaho $49,720New Mexico $49,210West Virginia $49,010South Carolina $48,880South Dakota $46,850Arkansas $42,670Kansas $40,010Mississippi $39,560
Working as a Recreational Therapist in Tennessee
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Recreational Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($51,910) 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 Recreational Therapist make in Tennessee?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in Tennessee is $51,910 per year, or about $24.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,080 at the entry level to $78,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Recreational Therapists about 16% less than the national median of $61,960. Tennessee ranks 35th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,910 a year. About 150 Recreational Therapists 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 Recreational Therapist salary report
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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.