Recreational Therapist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Recreational Therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $55,270 a year ($26.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 6% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $51,910. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $60,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| 25th percentile | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Median | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| 75th percentile | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Average (mean) | $60,730 | $29.20 |
Half of recreational therapists 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 | $4,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,302.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,125.77 |
| Weekly | $1,062.88 |
| Hourly | $26.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $53,400 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,590 | 30 |
| Jackson, MS | $38,800 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median 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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. 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 recreational therapist make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $55,270 a year, or $26.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $83,780 a year. The top 25% earn $68,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,530 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,770 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 40 recreational therapists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.