Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Recreational Therapists actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 15.8% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Recreational Therapists earning $51,910 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $51,910 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$4,245 | 8.2% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$3,218 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$752 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$8,216 | 15.8% |
| Take-Home Pay | $43,693 | 84.2% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Recreational Therapists in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $37,080 | -$5,302 | $31,777 | 14.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $48,090 | -$7,465 | $40,624 | 15.5% |
| Median (P50) | $51,910 | -$8,216 | $43,693 | 15.8% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $61,220 | -$10,045 | $51,174 | 16.4% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $78,850 | -$15,220 | $63,629 | 19.3% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Recreational Therapists keeps $43,693 of their $51,910 salary — 84.2% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Recreational Therapists in Tennessee faces an effective total tax rate of only 15.8%, keeping 84.2% of every gross dollar. That leaves $43,694 net out of $51,910 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Recreational Therapists, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal tax on this Recreational Therapists salary is $4,245 (52%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($3,971, 48%) make up the other 48% of the bill.
Tennessee ranks #32 of 48 states for Recreational Therapists after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $43,694 net/year works out to $3,641/month or $1,681/bi-weekly for this Recreational Therapists in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Recreational Therapists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #32 out of 48 states for Recreational Therapists after-tax take-home pay.
A Recreational Therapists in Tennessee earning a median salary of $51,910 will take home approximately $43,693 per year after federal income tax ($4,245), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($3,971). That is $3,641 per month or $1,680 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Recreational Therapists in Tennessee is 15.8%, broken down as: federal income tax 8.2%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Recreational Therapists in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 15.8%.
After all taxes, a Recreational Therapists in Tennessee takes home approximately $3,641 per month, or about $21.01 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $51,910 for Recreational Therapists in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $43,693/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR