The average salary for a recreational therapist in the United States is around $46,489 per year.
Avg Salary
Recreational therapists earn an average yearly salary of $46,489.
Wages typically start from $30,895 and go up to $69,954.
26% below national average Updated in 2023
Recreational therapist earnings by seniority
Top-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$33.63 per hour
$69,954 per year
Senior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$27.71 per hour
$57,644 per year
Mid-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$22.35 per hour
$46,489 per year
Junior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$18.03 per hour
$37,493 per year
Starting level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$14.85 per hour
$30,895 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Recreational therapist salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $78,610 |
| District of Columbia | $76,230 |
| New Jersey | $61,160 |
| Oregon | $60,190 |
| Connecticut | $59,770 |
| New York | $59,770 |
| Washington | $59,080 |
| Illinois | $57,970 |
| Hawaii | $55,000 |
| Texas | $54,410 |
| New Hampshire | $54,040 |
| Nebraska | $50,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,660 |
| Arizona | $48,380 |
| Maine | $48,350 |
| Wyoming | $48,170 |
| Minnesota | $47,940 |
| Rhode Island | $47,870 |
| Massachusetts | $47,850 |
| Idaho | $47,670 |
| Maryland | $47,610 |
| Michigan | $47,610 |
| Kentucky | $47,570 |
| Ohio | $47,360 |
| Nevada | $47,010 |
| Arkansas | $47,000 |
| Wisconsin | $47,000 |
| Virginia | $46,910 |
| North Carolina | $46,870 |
| Iowa | $46,730 |
| Missouri | $46,690 |
| South Carolina | $46,690 |
| Alabama | $46,660 |
| Colorado | $46,660 |
| Florida | $46,660 |
| Georgia | $46,640 |
| Louisiana | $46,640 |
| South Dakota | $46,330 |
| North Dakota | $42,090 |
| Montana | $41,900 |
| Tennessee | $38,840 |
| Vermont | $38,500 |
| Utah | $37,850 |
| Indiana | $37,840 |
| New Mexico | $37,240 |
| Oklahoma | $37,020 |
| Delaware | $36,990 |
| West Virginia | $36,710 |
| Mississippi | $29,730 |
| Kansas | $29,680 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,360 |
How do recreational therapist salaries compare to similar careers?
Recreational therapists earn 6% more than similar careers in the United States. On average, they make less than music therapists but more than personal trainers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Music therapist salary | $51K |
| Substance abuse social worker salary | $51K |
| Mental health counselor salary | $48K |
| Art therapist salary | $48K |
| Healthcare social worker salary | $47K |
| Recreational therapist salary | $46K |
| Health educator salary | $40K |
| Rehabilitation counselor salary | $41K |
| Insurance sales agent salary | $35K |
| Personal trainer salary | $30K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)