As of August 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Play Therapists in the US is $64,855, equivalent to $31 per hour, $1,247 weekly, or $5,405 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Play Therapists in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.

Annually Salaries for Play Therapists in the US vary widely, spanning from $50,443 to $75,521. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($57,311) and 75th percentile ($70,438), while top earners (90th percentile) make $75,521 per year. This $13,127 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or First Aid, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Play Therapists often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 37 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Play Therapists Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Play Therapists Salary $50,443 US August 01, 2026
25th Percentile Play Therapists Salary $57,311 US August 01, 2026
50th Percentile Play Therapists Salary $64,855 US August 01, 2026
75th Percentile Play Therapists Salary $70,438 US August 01, 2026
90th Percentile Play Therapists Salary $75,521 US August 01, 2026
25% $57,311 10% $50,443 90% $75,521 75% $70,438 $64,855 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Play Therapists

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Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    Play Therapists


    Bachelor's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Recreational Therapy Director


    JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
57311
70438
64855

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
52189
65363
58449
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Play Therapists in the United States. The base salary for Play Therapists ranges from $57,311 to $70,438 with the average base salary of $64,855. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $52,189 to $65,363 with the average total cash compensation of $58,449.

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57311
70438

 

Skills associated with Play Therapists: Counseling

Recently searched related titles: Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Fx Operations Analyst

Jobs with a similar salary range to Play Therapists : Community Based Therapist, Therapeutic Mentor, Recreation Aide