As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Recreation Therapist in the United States is $68,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Licensed Recreation Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Licensed Recreation Therapist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Recreation Therapist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Licensed Recreation Therapist | $64,816 |
| Intermediate Level Licensed Recreation Therapist | $65,406 |
| Senior Level Licensed Recreation Therapist | $68,173 |
| Specialist Level Licensed Recreation Therapist | $70,597 |
| Expert Level Licensed Recreation Therapist | $71,030 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Licensed Recreation Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 10.3% |
| First Aid | 2.94% |
| Discharge Planning | 1.57% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Dialysis
|
$72,080 |
6%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$71,400 |
5%
|
|
Group Therapy
|
$70,720 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$70,720 |
4%
|
|
Commitment
|
$70,720 |
4%
|
|
Coordination
|
$70,720 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Licensed Recreation Therapists 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 Licensed Recreation Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $60,800 and $64,560).
Licensed Recreation Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.0% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 3.7% |
| Bachelors | 69.8% |
| Masters | 19.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how a Licensed Recreation Therapist'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 May 01, 2026For a Licensed Recreation Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Director of Recreational Therapy role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $91,900 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
Salaries for a Licensed Recreation Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $112,260 in 2023 to around $111,827 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Licensed Recreation Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A recreational therapist and a physical therapist are not the same. Recreational therapists focus on improving patients' well-being through leisure activities, while physical therapists concentrate on rehabilitation and physical function. The salary for a licensed recreational therapist typically ranges from $57,400 to $71,300, with a median salary of $64,200.
Being a recreational therapist can be physically demanding, requiring lifting patients and being on your feet all day. Additionally, it can be emotionally challenging, as therapists may not always witness progress in their patients. Despite these challenges, the salary ranges from $57,400 to $71,300, reflecting the importance of this rewarding profession.
Yes, there is a demand for recreational therapists, with about 1,400 openings projected annually over the next decade. This demand arises from the need to replace workers transitioning to other occupations or retiring. The salary for licensed recreational therapists ranges from $57,400 to $71,300, with a median salary of $64,200.
As a Licensed Recreation Therapist, the salary typically ranges from $57,400 to $71,300 annually. Earning $200,000 would be significantly above the standard range, suggesting that additional income sources or specialized roles would be necessary to reach that level.
The salary for licensed recreation therapists in the US typically ranges from $57,400 to $71,300 annually, with a median salary of $64,200. This variation is influenced by factors such as location, experience, and the specific populations served, highlighting the diverse opportunities within the field.
The cost to become a recreational therapist varies by institution, with average tuition around $7,716 for in-state public colleges and $32,868 for out-of-state private colleges. Once qualified, Licensed Recreation Therapists can expect salaries ranging from $57,400 to $71,300, with a median salary of $64,200, reflecting the potential return on investment in their education.
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