Recreation Worker salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Recreation Workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $31,080 a year ($14.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,450 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $33,580. There are 1.2 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $33,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,810 | $12.41 |
| 25th percentile | $27,800 | $13.36 |
| Median | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| 75th percentile | $36,890 | $17.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Average (mean) | $33,990 | $16.34 |
Half of recreation workers 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 | $2,590 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,295 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,195.38 |
| Weekly | $597.69 |
| Hourly | $14.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $42,800 | 4,360 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,460 | 1,070 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,050 | 2,310 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $36,360 | 330 |
| Knoxville, TN | $34,850 | 400 |
| Richmond, VA | $34,700 | 1,320 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $34,000 | n/a |
| Lynchburg, VA | $33,970 | n/a |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $33,770 | 110 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $33,660 | 220 |
| Jackson, TN | $33,550 | 60 |
| Roanoke, VA | $33,210 | 540 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,700 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $32,240 | 250 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $32,150 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $30,070 | 80 |
| Morristown, TN | $29,720 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,520 | 100 |
| Cleveland, TN | $23,010 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for recreation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Washington | $44,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 |
| California | $39,780 |
| Oregon | $39,610 |
| Colorado | $38,820 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 |
| New York | $38,040 |
| Alaska | $37,510 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Residential Advisor | $29,940 | $14.39 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,820 | $13.86 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Skincare Specialist | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $37,740 | $18.14 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9032. 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 recreation worker make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $31,080 a year, or $14.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $45,450 a year. The top 25% earn $36,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,810 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $27,800 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 140 recreation workers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.