How to Become a Recreational Therapist
Recreational Therapists earn a median salary of $61,960/year in the United States. Most positions require Bachelor's degree. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, New Hampshire.
Where Recreational Therapists have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $82K | $1,528 | $48K |
| Nevada | $79K | $1,501 | $46K |
| District of Columbia | $96K | $2,146 | $45K |
| California | $98K | $2,471 | $43K |
| Minnesota | $76K | $1,384 | $42K |
| Washington | $78K | $1,830 | $41K |
| Nebraska | $63K | $1,113 | $37K |
| Ohio | $61K | $1,188 | $36K |
| North Dakota | $58K | $1,034 | $35K |
| Texas | $62K | $1,415 | $35K |
| Kentucky | $59K | $1,110 | $34K |
| Michigan | $62K | $1,272 | $34K |
| Missouri | $59K | $1,097 | $34K |
| Arizona | $63K | $1,437 | $34K |
| Vermont | $63K | $1,498 | $33K |
| Wisconsin | $59K | $1,202 | $33K |
| Iowa | $56K | $1,064 | $32K |
| Alabama | $57K | $1,085 | $32K |
| Oregon | $67K | $1,555 | $31K |
| Pennsylvania | $59K | $1,351 | $31K |
| Indiana | $54K | $1,144 | $30K |
| Maine | $58K | $1,281 | $30K |
| Colorado | $67K | $1,832 | $30K |
| Connecticut | $63K | $1,679 | $30K |
| Florida | $58K | $1,658 | $29K |
| Maryland | $64K | $1,795 | $29K |
| Tennessee | $52K | $1,215 | $29K |
| Utah | $57K | $1,350 | $29K |
| Virginia | $61K | $1,646 | $29K |
| Montana | $51K | $1,129 | $28K |
| New York | $66K | $1,917 | $28K |
| Oklahoma | $50K | $1,081 | $28K |
| West Virginia | $49K | $1,008 | $28K |
| Idaho | $50K | $1,136 | $27K |
| Illinois | $55K | $1,407 | $27K |
| Louisiana | $51K | $1,191 | $27K |
| New Mexico | $49K | $1,119 | $27K |
| South Dakota | $47K | $1,017 | $27K |
| North Carolina | $51K | $1,284 | $25K |
| South Carolina | $49K | $1,263 | $25K |
| Georgia | $52K | $1,434 | $24K |
| New Jersey | $60K | $2,067 | $24K |
| Delaware | $51K | $1,448 | $23K |
| Arkansas | $43K | $1,021 | $23K |
| Hawaii | $65K | $2,240 | $22K |
| Massachusetts | $63K | $2,347 | $21K |
| Kansas | $40K | $1,066 | $20K |
| Mississippi | $40K | $1,077 | $19K |
Education and training
Healthcare careers typically require formal education from an accredited program, ranging from certificate programs (6-12 months for roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists) to doctoral degrees (for physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists). Most healthcare education includes mandatory clinical rotations or supervised practice hours that can't be completed online alone. Programs must be accredited by the relevant professional body for graduates to sit for licensing exams.
To work as a recreational therapists, most employers want Bachelor's degree. Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or structured training complements formal education.
Licensing and certification
Most healthcare roles require state licensure or national certification, often both. Licensing typically involves completing an accredited program, passing a standardized exam, and maintaining continuing education credits for renewal. Many healthcare licenses are state-specific: you may need a new license if you move, although interstate compacts are expanding in nursing, physical therapy, and other fields.
What the day-to-day looks like
Healthcare work is inherently hands-on and interpersonal. Most roles involve direct patient interaction, documentation in electronic health records, coordination with other providers, and adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Schedules vary dramatically by setting, hospitals operate 24/7 with shift work, while clinics and private practices typically run standard business hours.
Career progression
Healthcare offers unusually clear career ladders. Most professions have defined levels (entry, experienced, specialist, advanced practice, management) with specific credential requirements at each step. Lateral moves between specialties are common, and advanced degrees open doors to higher-paying or leadership roles. The aging U.S. population means demand for healthcare workers is projected to grow faster than the overall economy for the foreseeable future.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $98K | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $96K | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $82K | 70 |
| Nevada | $79K | 400 |
| Washington | $78K | 240 |
| Minnesota | $76K | 250 |
| Colorado | $67K | 200 |
| Oregon | $67K | 250 |
| New York | $66K | 1,230 |
| Hawaii | $65K | 40 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for recreational therapistss is California at $98,170/year, that's $36,210 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for California.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $58,610. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A recreational therapists making $39,560 in Mississippi may have more purchasing power than one making $98,170 in California if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most recreational therapists jobs are California (1,920 workers), New York (1,230 workers), Texas (800 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for recreational therapistss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
In healthcare, the strongest negotiation levers are specialization (certifications in high-demand areas), willingness to work undesirable shifts (nights, weekends, holidays command premium differentials), geographic flexibility (rural and underserved areas often offer sign-on bonuses and loan repayment), and experience in high-acuity settings.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS salary data for healthcare occupations often underreports total compensation because overtime, shift differentials, sign-on bonuses, and per diem premiums aren't captured in the median wage figure. The actual W-2 for many clinical roles exceeds the BLS median by 10-20%.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for recreational therapistss in every metro.
View Recreational Therapists salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapists make?▼
The median recreational therapists salary in the United States is $61,960 per year ($30/hour). Entry-level positions start around $40,990, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,420.
What education do you need to become a recreational therapist?▼
Most recreational therapists positions require Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for recreational therapists?▼
Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the latest employment projections for recreational therapists.
What are the highest paying states for recreational therapists?▼
The highest paying states for recreational therapists are California ($98,170), District of Columbia ($95,640), New Hampshire ($82,280), Nevada ($78,730), Washington ($77,860). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.