What is the average hourly wage for Recreational Therapists?

The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists is $24.16 per hour. This translates to approximately $50,260 per year working full-time.

What states pay Recreational Therapists the most?

Salaries for Recreational Therapists vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a recreational therapist?

Typical education required: Bachelor's degree.

Recreational Therapists Salary

Name: Recreational Therapists Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$50,260

$24.16 / hour

▲ 13% (Much faster than average)

Salary Range

$26,638 - $86,447

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

19,640

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Recreational Therapists Salary by Percentile

$26,638 $86,447

10th pct Median: $50,260 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$26,638	$12.81
25th Percentile	$36,187	$17.40
50th (Median)	$50,260	$24.16
75th Percentile	$69,359	$33.35
90th (Top Earners)	$86,447	$41.56
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Recreational Therapists

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$66,343	$31.90
2	California (CA)	$62,825	$30.20
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$61,317	$29.48
4	New Jersey (NJ)	$60,312	$29.00
5	Connecticut (CT)	$59,307	$28.51
6	Maryland (MD)	$59,307	$28.51
7	Hawaii (HI)	$57,799	$27.79
8	Alaska (AK)	$56,291	$27.06
9	Washington (WA)	$56,291	$27.06
10	Colorado (CO)	$54,281	$26.10
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Recreational Therapists

Recreational Therapists work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook for Recreational Therapists

Projected Growth

+13%

2022-2032

▲ 13% (Much faster than average)

Annual Job Openings

1,897,400

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Recreational Therapists make?

The median annual salary for Recreational Therapists is $50,260 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $26,638, while the top 10% earn $86,447 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Recreational Therapists?

Recreational Therapists earn a median hourly wage of $24.16 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $50,260 annually.

Is Recreational Therapists a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $50,260, Recreational Therapists represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Much faster than average (13% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Recreational Therapists need?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.