Recreational Therapists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Recreational Therapists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $100,360 a year, or about $48.25 an hour. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $143K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $86,809 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 58.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $100K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About recreational therapists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level recreational therapists (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $100K.Top earners bring in $143K or more - a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Recreational Therapists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $97K | +60% | 1,780 |
| District of Columbia | $92K | +53% | 60 |
| Washington | $79K | +30% | 200 |
| Nevada | $77K | +28% | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | +24% | 130 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +12% | 240 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +8% | 360 |
| Oregon | $64K | +6% | 250 |
| Illinois | $64K | +6% | 290 |
| New York | $64K | +5% | 1,310 |
| Michigan | $63K | +5% | 450 |
| Arizona | $61K | +1% | 150 |
| Wyoming | $61K | +1% | 30 |
| Connecticut | $61K | +1% | 340 |
| Ohio | $60K | -0% | 310 |
Track recreational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $100,360 a year - that works out to about $48.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,220, and experienced recreational therapists can clear $142,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $100K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,127/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 58.8% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median recreational therapists salary is worth about $86,809 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.