How much does a recreation therapist make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical recreation therapist in the United States makes $61,960 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They assess patients and plan activities such as art, music, sports, or dance to match each person's goals. They lead sessions, watch responses, record progress, and adjust plans with the care team.
Did you know? A U.S. recreation therapist may take patients to a park for therapy—and teach adaptive sports to people with physical disabilities.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,990 and $100,420How do you become one?
Earn a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or a related field; programs usually include an internship. Many employers prefer CTRS certification, which requires approved education, supervised experience, and an exam; a few states also require a license.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, recreational therapists with more experience or sought-after certification may earn more. Pay can also differ by employer and setting, location, and how complex or responsible the work is.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($98,170), lowest in Kansas ($40,010).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,990 | $61,960 | $100,420 | about 15,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $98,170 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $65,520 | about 1,000 |
| Michigan | $61,700 | about 590 |
| Virginia | $61,270 | about 570 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 | about 720 |
Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity. Excludes “Recreation Workers” (39-9032).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/recreational-therapists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/search/task/compare/29-1126.00?d=406
- nctrc.org/how-to-become-a-ctrs/path-to-professional-certification
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY