Recreation Worker Salary in Nashville, TN
Recreation Workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $37,460 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,279 take-home, or $2,690 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,315
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,323
- Medicare (1.45%)$543
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,279
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,280 | $14.08 | $25,706 | $2,142 |
| 25th percentile | $31,720 | $15.25 | $27,667 | $2,306 |
| Median (50th) | $37,460 | $18.01 | $32,279 | $2,690 |
| 75th percentile | $45,740 | $21.99 | $38,932 | $3,244 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,550 | $22.38 | $39,583 | $3,299 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,460 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $32,279 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,506 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are less concentrated in Nashville, TN than nationally (location quotient 0.46), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #7 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Memphis, TN — $32,700
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Nashville, TN?
The median recreation worker salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $37,460 a year, or about $18.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,720 and $45,740.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $37,460 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $32,279 a year ($2,690 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,506 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #7 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $50,050
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $48,510
- Skincare Specialist — $38,110
- Tour and Travel Guide — $37,110
- Residential Advisor — $36,010
- Childcare Worker — $34,450
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,430
- Animal Caretaker — $32,810
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,590
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,820
- Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other — $28,620