Recreational Therapists Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $48,590 -19.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.36
10th percentile $37,030
90th percentile $61,220
Employed locally 30
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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Recreational Therapists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,030
    25th
    $48,590
    50th (median)
    $48,590
    75th
    $53,340
    90th
    $61,220

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 71% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Recreational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $107,810
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $50,960
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $50,560

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$76,870
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$57,540
    Nurse Practitioners$107,890
    Pharmacy Technicians$38,200
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$48,100
    Pharmacists$130,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $23.36, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.44 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 19.4% below the national median of $60,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Recreational Therapists in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $37,030 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,590.