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Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant in the United States is $35,578 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $43,004
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $31,941 to $39,465
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,629
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Salaries

A Therapeutic Recreation Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Therapeutic Recreation Assistant 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 Therapeutic Recreation Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $39,392.
  • California: $39,243.
  • Massachusetts: $38,720.

Top Paying Cities for Therapeutic Recreation Assistants

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: $44,875
  • San Francisco: $44,384
  • Oakland: $43,448

What Skills Can Increase a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 16.79% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Geriatrics (Mentioned in 3.22% Job Postings): Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults. The term geriatrics originates from the Greek geron meaning "old man", and iatros meaning "healer".
  • Activity Planning (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Produce a detailed schedule showing which staff carry out each activity; produce a detailed plan against which actual achievement may be measured; produce timed cash flow forecast; replan the project during its life to correct drift from the target.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 16.79%
Geriatrics 3.22%
Activity Planning 1.23%
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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 Therapeutic Recreation Assistant's salary.

  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Verbal Communication $39,848
12%
Communication Skills $38,780
9%
Commitment $38,425
8%
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Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Therapeutic Recreation Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Therapeutic Recreation Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Therapeutic Recreation Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$42,694$21.020%

How Education impacts a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Therapeutic Recreation Assistants enter the field with a Associate'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 Therapeutic Recreation Assistant with a Associate's Degree is between $34,819 and $37,156).

Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.2%
High School 41.0%
Associates 13.0%
Bachelors 41.6%
Masters 2.5%
Doctorate 0.6%
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Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Therapeutic Recreation Assistant'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 September 01, 2026
$31,941
Average $35,578/year
$39,465
$2,662
Average $2,965/month
$3,289
$614
Average $684/week
$759
$15
Average $17/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,465 $3,289 $759 $19
Average $35,578 $2,965 $684 $17
25th Percentile $31,941 $2,662 $614 $15

Most common benefits for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Therapeutic Recreation Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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