Recreational Therapist Salary
Recreational Therapists earn a median $61,960 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What recreational therapists do
Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Recreational Therapist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,255
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,842
- Medicare (1.45%)$898
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,965
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,990 | $19.71 | $35,115 |
| 25th percentile | $50,240 | $24.15 | $42,548 |
| Median (50th) | $61,960 | $29.79 | $51,965 |
| 75th percentile | $79,930 | $38.43 | $65,061 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,420 | $48.28 | $79,475 |
Recreational Therapist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $98,170 | +1.7% | $71,716 | $60,940 – $115,370 | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 | +3.9% | $70,952 | $50,840 – $118,340 | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 | +10.0% | $66,714 | $53,060 – $98,310 | 70 |
| Nevada | $78,730 | +1.7% | $64,217 | $46,380 – $98,630 | 400 |
| Washington | $77,860 | −1.0% | $63,605 | $61,070 – $108,200 | 240 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 | +13.5% | $58,880 | $55,210 – $97,570 | 250 |
| Colorado | $66,580 | +6.3% | $53,448 | $44,530 – $88,120 | 200 |
| Oregon | $66,530 | +4.0% | $50,642 | $51,210 – $83,780 | 250 |
| New York | $65,520 | +3.1% | $51,884 | $49,940 – $91,370 | 1,230 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 | — | $50,634 | $45,920 – $95,040 | 40 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | +10.1% | $51,154 | $39,220 – $95,490 | 290 |
| Vermont | $63,380 | — | $51,383 | $49,830 – $79,170 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 | +3.6% | $51,073 | $46,350 – $101,650 | 380 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 | +12.6% | $50,798 | $40,370 – $79,080 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 | +9.2% | $49,735 | $49,090 – $94,890 | 210 |
| Arizona | $62,610 | +2.5% | $51,131 | $49,710 – $90,230 | 170 |
| Texas | $62,490 | +15.3% | $52,391 | $36,210 – $213,790 | 800 |
| Michigan | $61,700 | −2.4% | $49,384 | $42,270 – $73,690 | 590 |
| Virginia | $61,270 | +6.9% | $48,702 | $49,580 – $87,020 | 570 |
| Ohio | $60,770 | +0.9% | $50,120 | $46,440 – $84,910 | 310 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 | −6.9% | $48,922 | $49,810 – $85,580 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 | +7.9% | $48,037 | $48,650 – $81,330 | 350 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 | +9.6% | $47,824 | $37,850 – $77,590 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 | +4.0% | $47,729 | $39,690 – $80,340 | 720 |
| Missouri | $58,620 | +9.3% | $47,463 | $43,000 – $93,500 | 140 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 | +0.7% | $49,080 | $40,100 – $70,570 | 80 |
| Florida | $57,980 | +3.1% | $48,767 | $41,400 – $86,610 | 640 |
| Maine | $57,560 | +5.6% | $45,726 | $39,480 – $77,130 | 40 |
| Alabama | $57,360 | +10.2% | $45,666 | $43,840 – $87,110 | 160 |
| Utah | $56,640 | +10.0% | $46,107 | $31,730 – $86,260 | 210 |
| Iowa | $56,140 | +11.1% | $45,807 | $43,580 – $81,970 | 230 |
| Illinois | $54,910 | −13.7% | $43,727 | $40,560 – $86,190 | 440 |
| Indiana | $53,770 | +3.5% | $43,827 | $38,550 – $76,750 | 190 |
| Georgia | $52,010 | +4.0% | $41,894 | $29,330 – $92,500 | 530 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 | +2.8% | $43,890 | $37,080 – $78,850 | 150 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 | +8.0% | $42,131 | $36,590 – $67,220 | 190 |
| Delaware | $51,110 | +20.8% | $41,087 | $42,640 – $76,290 | 70 |
| Montana | $51,110 | −0.7% | $41,601 | $38,210 – $86,260 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 | +5.0% | $41,655 | $41,490 – $78,340 | 440 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 | +7.6% | $41,015 | $32,920 – $77,910 | 120 |
| Idaho | $49,720 | −2.4% | $40,603 | $39,920 – $72,360 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 | +2.8% | $40,572 | $41,600 – $110,470 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 | +9.2% | $40,083 | $36,580 – $118,410 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 | −0.6% | $39,679 | $38,290 – $74,670 | 190 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 | — | $39,824 | $41,390 – $83,780 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 | −5.3% | $35,014 | $31,130 – $82,960 | 70 |
| Kansas | $40,010 | +0.8% | $32,895 | $29,720 – $60,720 | 710 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 | +3.6% | $33,116 | $30,570 – $65,170 | 140 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | Bachelor's degree | +12.8% |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | Bachelor's degree | +12.6% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | Associate's degree | +8.5% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree | +16.6% |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | Master's degree | +14.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Acupuncturist | $76,040 | Master's degree | +8.6% |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 | Doctoral or professional degree | +8.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make?
The national median salary for recreational therapists is $61,960 a year ($29.79 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,990 and the top 10% earn over $100,420. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $98,170.
How many recreational therapists are there in the U.S.?
About 14,930 people work as recreational therapists nationwide.