Recreational Therapists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Recreational Therapists by $36K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Recreational Therapists land at $61,960 and Registered Nurses 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 Therapists is California ($98,170); for Registered Nurses 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 Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $61,960 for Recreational Therapists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $36K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Recreational Therapists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 3.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Therapists get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Recreational Therapists 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 Therapists earn $98,170 vs. $140,270 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.