Recreational Therapists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Recreational Therapistss by $36K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Recreational Therapistss land at $61,960 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: recreational therapist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Recreational Therapistss is California ($98,170); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Recreational Therapists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Recreational Therapistss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $61,960 for Recreational Therapistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $36K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Recreational Therapists or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Recreational Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Recreational Therapists typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Recreational Therapistss get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Recreational Therapistss at $98,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Recreational Therapists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Recreational Therapistss earn $98,170 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.