Recreational Therapist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Recreational Therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $53,400 a year ($25.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $51,910. There are 0.04 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $56,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 25th percentile | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Median | $53,400 | $25.67 |
| 75th percentile | $62,190 | $29.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Average (mean) | $56,090 | $26.96 |
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 | $4,450 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,225 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,053.85 |
| Weekly | $1,026.92 |
| Hourly | $25.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,270 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,590 | 30 |
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,640 | $142.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,630 | $48.38 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $211,370 | $101.62 |
| Veterinarian | $126,230 | $60.69 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $53,400 a year, or $25.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $78,850 a year. The top 25% earn $62,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,870 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $48,060 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.