Director of Recreational Therapy Salary in the United States

How much does a Director of Recreational Therapy make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy in the United States is $91,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

However, a Director of Recreational Therapy's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $126,861
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,600 to $110,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,581
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View as table View as graph 25% $77,600 10% $64,581 90% $126,861 75% $110,200 $91,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Director of Recreational Therapy Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $110,200 $9,183 $2,119 $53
Average $91,900 $7,658 $1,767 $44
25th Percentile $77,600 $6,467 $1,492 $37
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Key Factors That Influence Director of Recreational Therapy Salaries

A Director of Recreational Therapy's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Director of Recreational Therapy Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Recreational Therapy's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $83,149
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,430
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,564
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $88,699
  • Expert (over 8 years): $92,446
Levels Salary
Entry Level Director of Recreational Therapy$83,149
Intermediate Level Director of Recreational Therapy$84,430
Senior Level Director of Recreational Therapy$86,564
Specialist Level Director of Recreational Therapy$88,699
Expert Level Director of Recreational Therapy$92,446
$83,149 0 yr
$84,430 < 2 yrs
$86,564 2-4 yrs
$88,699 5-8 yrs
$92,446 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Director of Recreational Therapy Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Director of Recreational Therapies. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $101,700.
  • California: $101,300.
  • Massachusetts: $100,000.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Recreational Therapies

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $115,900
  • San Francisco: $114,700
  • Oakland: $112,200

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Recreational Therapy's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.62% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Assisted Living (Mentioned in 0.97% Job Postings): Assisted living exemplifies the shift from "care as service" to "care as business" in the broader health care arena predicted more than three decades ago. A consumer-driven industry, assisted living offers a wide range of options, levels of care, and diversity of services (Lockhart, 2009) and is subject to state rather than federal regulatory oversight. "Assisted living" means depends on both the state and provider in question: variations in state regulatory definitions are significant and provider variables include everything from philosophy, geographic location and auspice, to organizational size and structure.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 0.73% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.62%
Assisted Living 0.97%
Quality Assurance 0.73%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Director of Recreational Therapy's salary.
  • Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Attention to Detail
$97,414
6%
Interviewing
$96,495
5%
Coaching
$96,495
5%
Long Term Care
$95,576
4%
Planning
$95,576
4%
Leadership
$95,576
4%
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How Education impacts a Director of Recreational Therapy's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Recreational Therapies enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy with a Bachelor's Degree is between $101,451 and $119,290).

Director of Recreational Therapy Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Recreational Therapy
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.5%
High School 6.2%
Associates 1.5%
Bachelors 69.2%
Masters 21.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Director of Recreational Therapy Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Recreational Therapy's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Director of Recreational Therapy

Salaries for a Director of Recreational Therapy can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $109,997 in 2023 to around $110,857 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of Recreational Therapy salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Director of Recreational Therapy Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$109,997
2024
$111,288
2025
$110,857
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $109,997
2024 $111,288
2025 $110,857
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Director of Recreational Therapy

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Director of Recreational Therapy

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FAQ about Director of Recreational Therapy

1. How much does a recreation director make in New York?

As of now, the salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy in New York ranges from $80,500 to $138,400 annually, with a median salary of $117,400. This translates to approximately $38.65 to $66.54 per hour, or $1,554 to $2,865 per week.

2. What is the highest paid recreational therapist?

The highest paid recreational therapists can earn up to $138,400 annually, with a minimum salary of $80,500 and a mid-range salary of $117,400. While cities like Los Angeles and Stockton report hourly rates around $66, the annual salary for directors in this field reflects a broader range of compensation based on experience and location.

3. What degree do you need to be a recreation director?

To become a Recreation Director, a Bachelor's Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Aquatics or a closely related field is typically required. Alternatively, a combination of three years of education and relevant experience in Recreation and Aquatics may suffice. The salary for this position ranges from $80,500 to $138,400, with a median salary of $117,400.

4. How much do the best directors make?

The salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy typically ranges from $80,500 to $138,400, with a median salary of $117,400. While this is specific to recreational therapy, salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and the specific organization.

5. What is the highest salary for a recreational therapist?

The highest salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy is $138,400. The salary range typically starts at a minimum of $80,500, with a mid-level salary around $117,400. This reflects the competitive nature of the field and the importance of recreational therapy in enhancing patient care.

6. How much does a recreation coordinator make in California?

As of January 21, 2025, the salary for a Director of Recreational Therapy in California ranges from $80,500 to $138,400 annually, with a median salary of $117,400. This translates to approximately $38.65 to $66.54 per hour, or $6,708 to $11,533 monthly, depending on experience and qualifications.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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