Recreational Therapists Salary in North Carolina
Recreational Therapists in North Carolina make a median of $48,590 a year, or about $23.36 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in North Carolina?
About recreational therapists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level recreational therapists (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Recreational Therapists salary by metro in North Carolina
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $57K | +17% | 30 |
| Winston-Salem | $53K | +9% | 40 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $51K | +5% | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $49K | +1% | 30 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $48K | -1% | 90 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $48K | -2% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track recreational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in North Carolina?
The median is $48,590 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,770, and experienced recreational therapists can clear $78,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,241/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 39.6% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina 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 $52,439 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.