How much does a recreational therapist make?
The median recreational therapist in the United States earns $61,960 per year, about $29.79 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all recreational therapists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1125.
Recreational therapist salary range
Pay for recreational therapists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,990 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,420. The average (mean) wage of $67,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,990 | $19.71 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,240 | $24.16 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,960 | $29.79 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $79,930 | $38.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,420 | $48.28 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for recreational therapists (SOC 29-1125), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Recreational therapist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Recreational therapists earn the most in California at $98,170 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $39,560. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $98,170 | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 | 70 |
| Nevada | $78,730 | 400 |
| Washington | $77,860 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 | 250 |
| Colorado | $66,580 | 200 |
| Oregon | $66,530 | 250 |
| New York | $65,520 | 1,230 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 | 40 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | 290 |
| Vermont | $63,380 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 | 210 |
| Arizona | $62,610 | 170 |
| Texas | $62,490 | 800 |
| Michigan | $61,700 | 590 |
| Virginia | $61,270 | 570 |
| Ohio | $60,770 | 310 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 | 350 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 | 720 |
| Missouri | $58,620 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 | 80 |
| Florida | $57,980 | 640 |
| Maine | $57,560 | 40 |
| Alabama | $57,360 | 160 |
| Utah | $56,640 | 210 |
| Iowa | $56,140 | 230 |
| Illinois | $54,910 | 440 |
| Indiana | $53,770 | 190 |
| Georgia | $52,010 | 530 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 | 190 |
| Delaware | $51,110 | 70 |
| Montana | $51,110 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 | 440 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 | 120 |
| Idaho | $49,720 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 | 70 |
| Kansas | $40,010 | 710 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 | 140 |
State median wages for recreational therapists (SOC 29-1125), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for recreational therapists
The BLS projects employment of recreational therapists to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for recreational therapists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a recreational therapist
The typical entry-level education for recreational therapists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a recreational therapist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $98,170) and the lowest (Mississippi, $39,560) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,930 people work as recreational therapists in the United States. At $61,960 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Recreational therapist salary FAQ
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a recreational therapist is $29.79. The middle half of recreational therapists earn between $24.16 and $38.43 per hour.
What is the highest recreational therapist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of recreational therapists earn more than $100,420 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a recreational therapist make a year?
The median annual salary for a recreational therapist is $61,960. The average (mean) wage of $67,630 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a recreational therapist a well paid job?
At $61,960 a year, a recreational therapist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,930 people work as recreational therapists in the United States.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California has the highest median salary for recreational therapists at $98,170 a year. District of Columbia ($95,640) and New Hampshire ($82,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a recreational therapist a good career?
Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a recreational therapist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for recreational therapists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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