Recreational Therapists Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $50,560 -16.1% vs national
Median hourly $24.31
10th percentile $38,120
90th percentile $82,220
Employed locally 40
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Recreational Therapists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,120
    25th
    $50,110
    50th (median)
    $50,560
    75th
    $66,110
    90th
    $82,220

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 78% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 22% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $48,590

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$79,250
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$55,010
    Pharmacy Technicians$39,370
    Nurse Practitioners$116,860
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$62,370
    Pharmacists$134,230

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Memphis?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $24.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.28 or more per hour.

    Is Memphis above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 16.1% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $38,120 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,110.