Recreational Therapists Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for recreational therapists in the United States was $61,960 ($29.79 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,990 | $19.71 |
| 25th | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Median | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| 75th | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| 90th | $100,420 | $48.28 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 29-1125
- Total U.S. employment: 14,930
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
At $29.79 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $61,963 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $61,960.
Recreational Therapists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,360 | $27.58 | -7.4% | 160 |
| Arizona | $62,610 | $30.10 | +1.0% | 170 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 | $20.52 | -31.1% | 70 |
| California | $98,170 | $47.20 | +58.4% | 1,920 |
| Colorado | $66,580 | $32.01 | +7.5% | 200 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 | $30.40 | +2.1% | 380 |
| Delaware | $51,110 | $24.57 | -17.5% | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 | $45.98 | +54.4% | 50 |
| Florida | $57,980 | $27.87 | -6.4% | 640 |
| Georgia | $52,010 | $25.00 | -16.1% | 530 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 | $31.01 | +4.1% | 40 |
| Idaho | $49,720 | $23.90 | -19.8% | 90 |
| Illinois | $54,910 | $26.40 | -11.4% | 440 |
| Indiana | $53,770 | $25.85 | -13.2% | 190 |
| Iowa | $56,140 | $26.99 | -9.4% | 230 |
| Kansas | $40,010 | $19.24 | -35.4% | 710 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 | $28.48 | -4.4% | 100 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 | $24.59 | -17.4% | 190 |
| Maine | $57,560 | $27.67 | -7.1% | 40 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | $30.91 | +3.8% | 290 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 | $30.20 | +1.4% | 210 |
| Michigan | $61,700 | $29.66 | -0.4% | 590 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 | $36.71 | +23.2% | 250 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 | $19.02 | -36.2% | 140 |
| Missouri | $58,620 | $28.18 | -5.4% | 140 |
| Montana | $51,110 | $24.57 | -17.5% | 40 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 | $30.28 | +1.6% | 150 |
| Nevada | $78,730 | $37.85 | +27.1% | 400 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 | $39.56 | +32.8% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 | $29.04 | -2.5% | 430 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 | $23.66 | -20.6% | 100 |
| New York | $65,520 | $31.50 | +5.7% | 1,230 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 | $24.53 | -17.6% | 440 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 | $28.06 | -5.8% | 80 |
| Ohio | $60,770 | $29.22 | -1.9% | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 | $24.27 | -18.5% | 120 |
| Oregon | $66,530 | $31.99 | +7.4% | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 | $28.34 | -4.9% | 720 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 | $23.50 | -21.1% | 190 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 | $22.53 | -24.4% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 | $24.96 | -16.2% | 150 |
| Texas | $62,490 | $30.04 | +0.9% | 800 |
| Utah | $56,640 | $27.23 | -8.6% | 210 |
| Vermont | $63,380 | $30.47 | +2.3% | 40 |
| Virginia | $61,270 | $29.46 | -1.1% | 570 |
| Washington | $77,860 | $37.44 | +25.7% | 240 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 | $23.56 | -20.9% | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 | $28.54 | -4.2% | 350 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Bartenders — $34,340/yr
- Lawyers — $159,670/yr
- Computer User Support Specialists — $61,860/yr
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics — $50,620/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — $74,450/yr
- Computer and Information Systems Managers — $175,140/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for recreational therapists?
The median annual wage for recreational therapists is $61,960 ($29.79 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many recreational therapists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 14,930 recreational therapists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do recreational therapists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $29.79. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.