Recreational Therapists Salary in Tennessee
Recreational Therapists in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $51,910 —16.2% below the national median of $61,960. That ranks TN #35 of 48 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.49× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
All 48 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $98,170 | $47.20 | 1,920 | 1.10 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $95,640 | $45.98 | 50 | 0.79 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $82,280 | $39.56 | 70 | 1.11 |
| 4 | Nevada | $78,730 | $37.85 | 400 | 2.66 |
| 5 | Washington | $77,860 | $37.44 | 240 | 0.69 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $76,360 | $36.71 | 250 | 0.89 |
| 7 | Colorado | $66,580 | $32.01 | 200 | 0.73 |
| 8 | Oregon | $66,530 | $31.99 | 250 | 1.34 |
| 9 | New York | $65,520 | $31.50 | 1,230 | 1.33 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $64,500 | $31.01 | 40 | 0.65 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $81,500 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $41,920 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,590 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for recreational therapists in Tennessee is $51,910, or $24.96 per hour. That is 16.2% below the national median of $61,960.
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $37,080 per year ($17.83/hour). The 25th percentile is $48,090.
How many people work as recreational therapists in Tennessee?
About 150 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for recreational therapists?
Tennessee ranks #35 of 48 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.49x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California has the highest median wage at $98,170 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($95,640) and New Hampshire ($82,280).