As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Recreational Therapist in the United States is $67,930 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Recreational Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Recreational 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 Recreational 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 Recreational Therapist | $64,746 |
| Intermediate Level Recreational Therapist | $65,336 |
| Senior Level Recreational Therapist | $68,104 |
| Specialist Level Recreational Therapist | $70,546 |
| Expert Level Recreational Therapist | $70,982 |
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 Recreational 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
|
$72,006 |
6%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$71,327 |
5%
|
|
Group Therapy
|
$70,647 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$70,647 |
4%
|
|
Commitment
|
$70,647 |
4%
|
|
Coordination
|
$70,647 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Recreational 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 Recreational Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $61,034 and $64,817).
Recreational 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 Recreational 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 Recreational Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Recreational Therapy Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $91,856 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.
Salaries for a Recreational 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 Recreational Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Recreational Therapist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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A Recreational Therapist's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Recreational Therapist earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Recreational Therapist is $85,680.
The highest pay for Recreational Therapist is $79,093.
The lowest pay for Recreational Therapist is $52,837.
Plans and directs medically approved therapeutic recreational programs for patients. Organizes activities according to patients' capabilities, needs, and interests. Conducts programs including symptom management, basic conversation skills, community re-entry, sports, gardening, dramatics, music, social activities, and arts and crafts. Prepares reports for patients' physicians describing individual patient symptoms and reactions to therapeutic programs. Conducts activity therapy assessment of a patient's strengths and needs, and recommends therapeutic activity. Documents progress on each patient. Requires a license/certification to practice from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Requires to practice from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialists. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
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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