Recreational Therapists Salary in Missouri
Recreational Therapists in Missouri make a median of $53,620 a year, or about $25.78 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $54K get you in Missouri?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level recreational therapists (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $85K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Recreational Therapists salary by metro in Missouri
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $69K | +29% | 70 |
| Kansas City | $47K | -13% | 220 |
Compare to other states
Track recreational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in Missouri?
The median is $53,620 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,980, and experienced recreational therapists can clear $84,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,614/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 30.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a recreational therapists salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median recreational therapists salary is worth about $60,268 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do recreational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.