The average salary for a recreational therapist in the United States is $60,910, but the range typically falls between $46,420 and $73,150. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $29.28, with a range between $22.32 and $35.17.
There are approximately 15,540 people employed as a recreational therapist in the United States. With California, New York, Texas employing the highest number of recreational therapists.The state with the best pay for a recreational therapist is California, with an average annual salary of $89,660, while Oklahoma has the lowest average annual salary of $43,450.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Median | $57,120 | $27.46 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,150 | $35.17 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,080 | $44.27 |
The salary of a recreational therapist can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a recreational therapist in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for recreational therapists are California, District of Columbia, Nevada, Washington, Connecticut while the worst states are Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kansas, Delaware, West Virginia.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,600 | $54,250 | $71,410 |
| Arizona | $47,840 | $65,740 | $89,380 |
| Arkansas | $37,210 | $57,830 | $85,030 |
| California | $59,200 | $89,660 | $101,430 |
| Colorado | $41,620 | $59,540 | $81,820 |
| Connecticut | $43,370 | $68,320 | $97,470 |
| Delaware | $39,150 | $47,470 | $65,900 |
| District of Columbia | $56,650 | $83,610 | $109,920 |
| Florida | $33,760 | $57,260 | $83,400 |
| Georgia | $35,700 | $50,750 | $71,410 |
| Idaho | $43,670 | $53,890 | $69,120 |
| Illinois | $43,890 | $64,350 | $89,750 |
| Indiana | $27,800 | $50,000 | $74,090 |
| Iowa | $40,070 | $53,200 | $76,810 |
| Kansas | $30,540 | $40,620 | $49,980 |
| Kentucky | $32,690 | $49,050 | $64,690 |
| Louisiana | $37,110 | $49,790 | $67,770 |
| Maryland | $36,140 | $55,900 | $79,680 |
| Massachusetts | $36,570 | $58,370 | $90,450 |
| Michigan | $42,950 | $58,780 | $76,000 |
| Minnesota | $47,720 | $65,730 | $82,690 |
| Mississippi | $26,170 | $42,530 | $63,990 |
| Missouri | $33,610 | $52,940 | $80,080 |
| Montana | $36,260 | $56,090 | $85,570 |
| Nebraska | $45,170 | $58,430 | $73,420 |
| Nevada | $48,110 | $72,970 | $97,710 |
| New Hampshire | $38,000 | $56,190 | $75,780 |
| New Jersey | $45,530 | $69,300 | $95,760 |
| New Mexico | $39,950 | $61,400 | $123,110 |
| New York | $48,680 | $66,420 | $88,510 |
| North Carolina | $37,770 | $52,000 | $72,370 |
| Ohio | $40,310 | $57,010 | $72,860 |
| Oklahoma | $30,310 | $43,450 | $67,460 |
| Oregon | $44,180 | $64,030 | $81,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,030 | $56,430 | $76,750 |
| South Carolina | $28,960 | $47,900 | $71,410 |
| South Dakota | $41,820 | $54,460 | $80,620 |
| Tennessee | $35,380 | $49,120 | $69,100 |
| Texas | $35,370 | $56,110 | $78,540 |
| Utah | $35,190 | $54,210 | $76,190 |
| Virginia | $42,330 | $56,150 | $78,580 |
| Washington | $56,080 | $72,380 | $100,110 |
| West Virginia | $31,160 | $49,790 | $78,580 |
| Wisconsin | $42,170 | $54,400 | $72,200 |
| Wyoming | $47,420 | $56,970 | $69,100 |
Even between cities, the salary of a recreational therapist can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for recreational therapists is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $98,200.The city with the lowest average salary for recreational therapists is Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area, MS with an average salary of $35,880.
Areas with highest average salaries for recreational therapists
Areas with lowest average salaries for recreational therapists
The number of recreational therapists in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of recreational therapists has decreased by -4,540. On average, the number of recreational therapists has been increasing by -5.7% each year. The salary of recreational therapists has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of recreational therapists has increased by $9,650. On average, the salary of recreational therapists has been increasing by 4.7% each year.
Recreational Therapists are part of the healthcare practitioners and technical occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for recreational therapists compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all healthcare practitioners and technical occupations jobs here.
$89,020 per year
$270,560 per year
$278,660 per year
$70,270 per year
$205,860 per year
$245,450 per year
