Recreational therapist salary
BLS occupation: Recreational Therapists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $61,960 a year, US
Median hourly pay $29.79 an hour
Middle half earn $50,240–$79,930 25th to 75th percentile
Recreational therapists employed 14,930 +4.8% projected by 2035
How much does a recreational therapist make?
- The median recreational therapist salary in the US is $61,960 a year ($29.79 an hour): half of the 14,930 recreational therapists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $67,630.
- The middle half earn between $50,240 and $79,930. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $40,990 and the top 10% more than $100,420.
- That is 22% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays recreational therapists the most (median $98,170), followed by the District of Columbia ($95,640) and New Hampshire ($82,280). Mississippi pays the least ($39,560).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $88,665 in typical US prices, then the District of Columbia and New Hampshire.
- In 23 of the 83 metro areas with data, the median recreational therapist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of recreational therapists to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what recreational therapists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Recreational therapist salary range
Half of recreational therapists earn between $50,240 and $79,930 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $40,990
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $50,240
Median Yearly pay: $61,960
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $79,930
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $100,420
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $40,990 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $50,240 |
| Median | $61,960 |
| Top 25% earn over | $79,930 |
| Top 10% earn over | $100,420 |
Recreational therapist salary by state
California pays recreational therapists the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($61,960), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 median |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 median |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 median |
| Nevada | $78,730 median |
| Washington | $77,860 median |
| Minnesota | $76,360 median |
| Colorado | $66,580 median |
| Oregon | $66,530 median |
| New York | $65,520 median |
| Hawaii | $64,500 median |
| Maryland | $64,300 median |
| Vermont | $63,380 median |
| Connecticut | $63,240 median |
| Nebraska | $62,980 median |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 median |
| Arizona | $62,610 median |
| Texas | $62,490 median |
| Michigan | $61,700 median |
| Virginia | $61,270 median |
| Ohio | $60,770 median |
| New Jersey | $60,400 median |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 median |
| Kentucky | $59,240 median |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 median |
| Missouri | $58,620 median |
| North Dakota | $58,370 median |
| Florida | $57,980 median |
| Maine | $57,560 median |
| Alabama | $57,360 median |
| Utah | $56,640 median |
| Iowa | $56,140 median |
| Illinois | $54,910 median |
| Indiana | $53,770 median |
| Georgia | $52,010 median |
| Tennessee | $51,910 median |
| Louisiana | $51,150 median |
| Delaware | $51,110 median |
| Montana | $51,110 median |
| North Carolina | $51,030 median |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 median |
| Idaho | $49,720 median |
| New Mexico | $49,210 median |
| West Virginia | $49,010 median |
| South Carolina | $48,880 median |
| South Dakota | $46,850 median |
| Arkansas | $42,670 median |
| Kansas | $40,010 median |
| Mississippi | $39,560 median |
Where recreational therapist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Recreational therapists' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $88,665 |
| District of Columbia | $87,024 |
| New Hampshire | $78,990 |
| Nevada | $78,747 |
| Minnesota | $77,428 |
| Washington | $72,758 |
| Nebraska | $69,898 |
| Kentucky | $65,706 |
| North Dakota | $65,614 |
| Ohio | $65,503 |
Recreational therapist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $98,170 | $47.20 | $60,940 | $115,370 | 1,920 | $88,665 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 | $45.98 | $50,840 | $118,340 | 50 | $87,024 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 | $39.56 | $53,060 | $98,310 | 70 | $78,990 |
| Nevada | $78,730 | $37.85 | $46,380 | $98,630 | 400 | $78,747 |
| Washington | $77,860 | $37.43 | $61,070 | $108,200 | 240 | $72,758 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 | $36.71 | $55,210 | $97,570 | 250 | $77,428 |
| Colorado | $66,580 | $32.01 | $44,530 | $88,120 | 200 | $64,608 |
| Oregon | $66,530 | $31.99 | $51,210 | $83,780 | 250 | $64,367 |
| New York | $65,520 | $31.50 | $49,940 | $91,370 | 1,230 | $60,711 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 | $31.01 | $45,920 | $95,040 | 40 | $58,662 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | $30.91 | $39,220 | $95,490 | 290 | $61,262 |
| Vermont | $63,380 | $30.47 | $49,830 | $79,170 | 40 | $64,701 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 | $30.40 | $46,350 | $101,650 | 380 | $61,037 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 | $30.28 | $40,370 | $79,080 | 150 | $69,898 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 | $30.20 | $49,090 | $94,890 | 210 | $59,400 |
| Arizona | $62,610 | $30.10 | $49,710 | $90,230 | 170 | $62,189 |
| Texas | $62,490 | $30.04 | $36,210 | $213,790 | 800 | $64,385 |
| Michigan | $61,700 | $29.66 | $42,270 | $73,690 | 590 | $64,126 |
| Virginia | $61,270 | $29.46 | $49,580 | $87,020 | 570 | $60,601 |
| Ohio | $60,770 | $29.22 | $46,440 | $84,910 | 310 | $65,503 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 | $29.04 | $49,810 | $85,580 | 430 | $55,512 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 | $28.53 | $48,650 | $81,330 | 350 | $63,075 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 | $28.48 | $37,850 | $77,590 | 100 | $65,706 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 | $28.34 | $39,690 | $80,340 | 720 | $60,407 |
| Missouri | $58,620 | $28.18 | $43,000 | $93,500 | 140 | $64,547 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 | $28.06 | $40,100 | $70,570 | 80 | $65,614 |
| Florida | $57,980 | $27.88 | $41,400 | $86,610 | 640 | $56,066 |
| Maine | $57,560 | $27.67 | $39,480 | $77,130 | 40 | $59,310 |
| Alabama | $57,360 | $27.58 | $43,840 | $87,110 | 160 | $64,578 |
| Utah | $56,640 | $27.23 | $31,730 | $86,260 | 210 | $57,291 |
| Iowa | $56,140 | $26.99 | $43,580 | $81,970 | 230 | $63,968 |
| Illinois | $54,910 | $26.40 | $40,560 | $86,190 | 440 | $54,933 |
| Indiana | $53,770 | $25.85 | $38,550 | $76,750 | 190 | $57,613 |
| Georgia | $52,010 | $25.00 | $29,330 | $92,500 | 530 | $54,012 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 | $24.96 | $37,080 | $78,850 | 150 | $56,504 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 | $24.59 | $36,590 | $67,220 | 190 | $57,989 |
| Delaware | $51,110 | $24.57 | $42,640 | $76,290 | 70 | $51,208 |
| Montana | $51,110 | $24.57 | $38,210 | $86,260 | 40 | $54,002 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 | $24.53 | $41,490 | $78,340 | 440 | $54,100 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 | $24.27 | $32,920 | $77,910 | 120 | $57,466 |
| Idaho | $49,720 | $23.90 | $39,920 | $72,360 | 90 | $52,066 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 | $23.66 | $41,600 | $110,470 | 100 | $53,366 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 | $23.56 | $36,580 | $118,410 | 130 | $54,762 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 | $23.50 | $38,290 | $74,670 | 190 | $52,139 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 | $22.52 | $41,390 | $83,780 | 40 | $52,886 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 | $20.51 | $31,130 | $82,960 | 70 | $49,082 |
| Kansas | $40,010 | $19.24 | $29,720 | $60,720 | 710 | $44,422 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 | $19.02 | $30,570 | $65,170 | 140 | $45,496 |
BLS does not publish pay for recreational therapists in 3 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Recreational therapist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes recreational therapist pay: 83 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Stockton, CA $115,330
- Vallejo, CA $115,330
- Napa, CA $107,810
- San Francisco, CA $102,420
- San Jose, CA $101,670
- San Diego, CA $98,530
- Fresno, CA $98,160
- Riverside, CA $98,120
- Sacramento, CA $91,790
- Los Angeles, CA $91,740
Where the pay goes furthest
- Stockton, CA $109,745
- Vallejo, CA $106,316
- Fresno, CA $96,086
- Napa, CA $95,785
- Riverside, CA $92,182
- San Jose, CA $92,073
- Mankato, MN $90,099
- San Francisco, CA $88,589
- San Diego, CA $88,062
- Sacramento, CA $86,050
All 83 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | $115,330 | 50 | $109,745 | 25% |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,330 | 50 | $106,316 | 26% |
| Napa, CA | $107,810 | 150 | $95,785 | 32% |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,420 | 190 | $88,589 | 40% |
| San Jose, CA | $101,670 | 60 | $92,073 | 45% |
| San Diego, CA | $98,530 | 90 | $88,062 | 36% |
| Fresno, CA | $98,160 | 150 | $96,086 | 25% |
| Riverside, CA | $98,120 | 340 | $92,182 | 31% |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,790 | 90 | $86,050 | 30% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $91,740 | 380 | $80,781 | 38% |
| Seattle, WA | $82,660 | 140 | $74,379 | 33% |
| Mankato, MN | $81,950 | 30 | $90,099 | 18% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $78,730 | 340 | $78,561 | 26% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $73,980 | 150 | $70,577 | 28% |
| Portland, OR | $72,390 | 60 | $68,668 | 30% |
| Washington, DC | $71,050 | 380 | $65,253 | 41% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $70,960 | 110 | $70,341 | 32% |
| Cleveland, OH | $67,390 | 50 | $71,750 | 26% |
| Denver, CO | $66,840 | 130 | $63,187 | 34% |
| New Haven, CT | $66,740 | 60 | $63,830 | 37% |
| New York, NY | $66,050 | 1,090 | $58,678 | 64% |
| Spokane, WA | $65,940 | 50 | $65,713 | 28% |
| Buffalo, NY | $65,080 | 60 | $67,902 | 27% |
| Baltimore, MD | $64,700 | 160 | $61,922 | 36% |
| Honolulu, HI | $64,500 | 40 | $58,129 | 56% |
| Hartford, CT | $63,950 | 170 | $62,241 | 37% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $63,950 | 130 | $65,971 | 29% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $63,740 | 50 | $66,834 | 29% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $63,710 | 90 | $63,162 | 31% |
| Boston, MA | $63,390 | 180 | $58,550 | 57% |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,370 | 80 | $66,188 | 31% |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,980 | 50 | $68,770 | 24% |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,810 | 60 | $66,055 | 27% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $62,610 | 130 | $60,600 | 33% |
| Detroit, MI | $62,600 | 230 | $62,414 | 29% |
| Tampa, FL | $62,390 | 110 | $61,840 | 38% |
| Des Moines, IA | $62,000 | 50 | $67,611 | 25% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,840 | 50 | $66,442 | 26% |
| Albany, NY | $61,830 | 30 | $62,100 | 33% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $61,550 | 60 | $68,080 | 27% |
| Richmond, VA | $61,270 | 110 | $62,611 | 33% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,250 | 100 | $64,698 | 29% |
| Dallas, TX | $61,000 | 150 | $59,172 | 33% |
| Madison, WI | $60,960 | 40 | $62,660 | 35% |
| San Antonio, TX | $60,750 | 60 | $64,139 | 28% |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,640 | 260 | $60,605 | 36% |
| Columbus, OH | $60,590 | 90 | $63,466 | 30% |
| Scranton, PA | $60,550 | 30 | $64,721 | 27% |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,140 | 40 | $65,720 | 35% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $59,560 | 120 | $60,812 | 38% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $59,340 | 80 | $55,529 | 58% |
| Rochester, NY | $58,980 | 90 | $60,782 | 31% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $58,970 | 360 | $57,501 | 39% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,710 | 60 | $59,015 | 34% |
| Omaha, NE | $58,630 | 70 | $63,790 | 29% |
| Miami, FL | $58,110 | 190 | $50,904 | 55% |
| Reno, NV | $57,680 | 30 | $57,101 | 43% |
| Orlando, FL | $57,290 | 60 | $56,489 | 40% |
| Provo, UT | $55,690 | 50 | $56,692 | 38% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $55,340 | 70 | $57,920 | 35% |
| Memphis, TN | $55,270 | 40 | $59,959 | 30% |
| Chicago, IL | $54,460 | 340 | $52,570 | 48% |
| Nashville, TN | $53,400 | 50 | $55,430 | 41% |
| Durham, NC | $53,100 | 50 | $54,421 | 37% |
| Savannah, GA | $53,080 | 50 | $55,753 | 40% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,960 | 100 | $55,342 | 35% |
| Lancaster, PA | $52,820 | 30 | $53,757 | 36% |
| Columbus, GA | $52,750 | 50 | $59,073 | 31% |
| Charlotte, NC | $52,170 | 90 | $53,591 | 40% |
| Augusta, GA | $52,010 | 40 | $56,592 | 34% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $51,780 | 40 | $56,256 | 35% |
| Greenville, SC | $50,470 | 30 | $54,118 | 37% |
| Ogden, UT | $50,400 | 30 | $50,225 | 39% |
| Boise, ID | $49,720 | 60 | $50,533 | 46% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $48,590 | 30 | $53,125 | 37% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $48,000 | 60 | $52,875 | 34% |
| Allentown, PA | $47,540 | 30 | $47,555 | 46% |
| Kansas City, MO | $45,270 | 210 | $48,918 | 41% |
| Columbia, SC | $43,730 | 100 | $46,689 | 43% |
| Topeka, KS | $42,180 | 80 | $47,489 | 36% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $39,260 | 40 | $39,797 | 45% |
| Jackson, MS | $38,800 | 60 | $43,572 | 45% |
| Wichita, KS | $36,780 | 140 | $41,351 | 39% |
What the median recreational therapist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $61,960 |
| Month | $5,163 |
| Every two weeks | $2,383 |
| Week | $1,192 |
| Hour | $29.79 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a recreational therapist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,400 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
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|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
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| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
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Questions about recreational therapist pay
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour?
The median is $29.79 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $19.71 and the top 10% over $48.28.
How much does a recreational therapist make a month?
About $5,163 a month before taxes at the median salary of $61,960, or $2,383 every two weeks.
What state pays recreational therapists the most?
California, with a median of $98,170. The District of Columbia ($95,640), New Hampshire ($82,280), Nevada ($78,730) and Washington ($77,860) follow.
Where do recreational therapists make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $98,170 is worth $88,665 at typical US prices. The District of Columbia, New Hampshire and Nevada come next.
How much do entry-level recreational therapists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of recreational therapists earn under $40,990 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $50,240, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a recreational therapist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1125 (Recreational Therapists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.