The average salary for a recreational therapist in Tennessee is around $51,910 per year.
Avg Salary
Recreational therapists earn an average yearly salary of $51,910.
Wages typically start from $37,080 and go up to $78,850.
16% below national average Updated in 2025
Recreational therapist earnings by seniority
Top-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$37.91 per hour
$78,850 per year
Senior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$29.44 per hour
$61,220 per year
Mid-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$24.96 per hour
$51,910 per year
Junior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$23.12 per hour
$48,090 per year
Starting level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$17.83 per hour
$37,080 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Recreational therapist salary by state
| State Name | Average 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 |
| Maryland | $64,300 |
| Vermont | $63,380 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 |
| Arizona | $62,610 |
| Texas | $62,490 |
| Michigan | $61,700 |
| Virginia | $61,270 |
| Ohio | $60,770 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 |
| Missouri | $58,620 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 |
| Florida | $57,980 |
| Maine | $57,560 |
| Alabama | $57,360 |
| Utah | $56,640 |
| Iowa | $56,140 |
| Illinois | $54,910 |
| Indiana | $53,770 |
| Georgia | $52,010 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 |
| Delaware | $51,110 |
| Montana | $51,110 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 |
| Idaho | $49,720 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 |
| Wyoming | $48,170 |
| Rhode Island | $47,870 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 |
| Kansas | $40,010 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,360 |
How do recreational therapist salaries compare to similar careers?
Recreational therapists earn about the same as related careers in Tennessee. On average, they make less than occupational therapy assistants but more than substance abuse social workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational therapy assistant salary | $62K |
| Ophthalmic medical technologist salary | $49K |
| Athletic trainer salary | $60K |
| Massage therapist salary | $50K |
| Exercise physiologist salary | $54K |
| Art therapist salary | $52K |
| Recreational therapist salary | $52K |
| Mental health counselor salary | $50K |
| Optician salary | $50K |
| Substance abuse social worker salary | $46K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)