Recreational Therapists Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $50,960 -15.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.50
10th percentile $37,510
90th percentile $79,790
Employed locally 40
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Nashville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,510
    25th
    $40,250
    50th (median)
    $50,960
    75th
    $67,600
    90th
    $79,790

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 62% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 38% 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
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $50,560
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $48,590

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $81,170
    Nurse Practitioners $116,160
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,290
    Pharmacy Technicians $42,130
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $62,660
    Pharmacists $135,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Nashville?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Nashville, TN is $24.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.91 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Nashville, TN is 15.5% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $37,510 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,250.