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Top 15 cities for recreational therapists by average salary
| Napa, CA | $109,290 |
|---|---|
| Stockton, CA | $107,870 |
| San Francisco, CA | $103,380 |
| Vallejo, CA | $103,260 |
| San Jose, CA | $99,100 |
| Fresno, CA | $97,480 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,640 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,830 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $89,800 |
| Seattle, WA | $85,280 |
| Riverside, CA | $84,610 |
| Mankato, MN | $77,600 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $75,000 |
| Portland, OR | $73,870 |
| Washington, DC | $72,990 |
Map: Recreational Therapists salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Recreational Therapists salary by state
California pays recreational therapists the most statewide, $95,420 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $95,420 | $98,170 | 1,920 | 10 | $109,290 | $84,610 |
| Texas | $90,570 | $62,490 | 800 | 2 | $65,090 | $64,520 |
| Washington, D.C. | $88,060 | $95,640 | 50 | 1 | $72,990 | $72,990 |
| Washington | $81,020 | $77,860 | 240 | 2 | $85,280 | $70,310 |
| New Hampshire | $78,410 | $82,280 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $75,120 | $76,360 | 250 | 2 | $77,600 | $75,000 |
| Hawaii | $71,690 | $64,500 | 40 | 1 | $71,560 | $71,560 |
| Nevada | $71,530 | $78,730 | 400 | 2 | $72,330 | $63,740 |
| New York | $68,960 | $65,520 | 1,230 | 5 | $70,160 | $61,630 |
| Connecticut | $68,280 | $63,240 | 380 | 3 | $72,270 | $65,270 |
| Oregon | $67,670 | $66,530 | 250 | 1 | $73,870 | $73,870 |
| Colorado | $67,540 | $66,580 | 200 | 1 | $68,370 | $68,370 |
| Arizona | $67,490 | $62,610 | 170 | 1 | $67,560 | $67,560 |
| Massachusetts | $66,680 | $62,820 | 210 | 1 | $69,400 | $69,400 |
| Virginia | $66,490 | $61,270 | 570 | 2 | $66,440 | $63,000 |
| New Jersey | $65,780 | $60,400 | 430 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Vermont | $65,160 | $63,380 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maryland | $63,340 | $64,300 | 290 | 1 | $62,040 | $62,040 |
| Ohio | $62,290 | $60,770 | 310 | 3 | $69,520 | $60,340 |
| Wisconsin | $62,180 | $59,350 | 350 | 2 | $67,190 | $65,460 |
| Missouri | $62,160 | $58,620 | 140 | 2 | $65,550 | $49,100 |
| New Mexico | $61,680 | $49,210 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $60,860 | $61,700 | 590 | 3 | $62,400 | $53,880 |
| Nebraska | $60,600 | $62,980 | 150 | 2 | $62,770 | $62,490 |
| Alabama | $60,460 | $57,360 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Florida | $60,090 | $57,980 | 640 | 4 | $64,770 | $56,680 |
| Maine | $60,050 | $57,560 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $59,450 | $58,940 | 720 | 6 | $63,280 | $45,340 |
| Illinois | $59,160 | $54,910 | 440 | 1 | $58,800 | $58,800 |
| West Virginia | $59,120 | $49,010 | 130 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $59,030 | $56,140 | 230 | 2 | $66,860 | $63,010 |
| Utah | $58,520 | $56,640 | 210 | 3 | $65,770 | $48,440 |
| Kentucky | $58,460 | $59,240 | 100 | 1 | $61,290 | $61,290 |
| Georgia | $58,080 | $52,010 | 530 | 4 | $64,930 | $51,790 |
| Montana | $57,730 | $51,110 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $56,980 | $58,370 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $55,950 | $51,030 | 440 | 3 | $60,490 | $56,510 |
| Indiana | $55,700 | $53,770 | 190 | 1 | $53,660 | $53,660 |
| Tennessee | $55,030 | $51,910 | 150 | 3 | $60,730 | $51,970 |
| Idaho | $54,920 | $49,720 | 90 | 1 | $53,990 | $53,990 |
| Delaware | $54,860 | $51,110 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Dakota | $53,620 | $46,850 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana | $53,360 | $51,150 | 190 | 1 | $49,110 | $49,110 |
| Oklahoma | $52,540 | $50,480 | 120 | 1 | $59,320 | $59,320 |
| South Carolina | $51,870 | $48,880 | 190 | 2 | $53,320 | $48,680 |
| Arkansas | $47,890 | $42,670 | 70 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $45,200 | $39,560 | 140 | 1 | $45,830 | $45,830 |
| Puerto Rico | $43,790 | $28,140 | 80 | 1 | $44,830 | $44,830 |
| Kansas | $43,550 | $40,010 | 710 | 2 | $46,470 | $40,900 |
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Recreational Therapists salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $109,290 | $107,810 | $52.54 | 150 |
| Stockton, CA | $107,870 | $115,330 | $51.86 | 50 |
| San Francisco, CA | $103,380 | $102,420 | $49.70 | 190 |
| Vallejo, CA | $103,260 | $115,330 | $49.65 | 50 |
| San Jose, CA | $99,100 | $101,670 | $47.65 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $97,480 | $98,160 | $46.87 | 150 |
| San Diego, CA | $95,640 | $98,530 | $45.98 | 90 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,830 | $91,790 | $44.15 | 90 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $89,800 | $91,740 | $43.17 | 380 |
| Seattle, WA | $85,280 | $82,660 | $41.00 | 140 |
| Riverside, CA | $84,610 | $98,120 | $40.68 | 340 |
| Mankato, MN | $77,600 | $81,950 | $37.31 | 30 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $75,000 | $73,980 | $36.06 | 150 |
| Portland, OR | $73,870 | $72,390 | $35.51 | 60 |
| Washington, DC | $72,990 | $71,050 | $35.09 | 380 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $72,330 | $78,730 | $34.77 | 340 |
| New Haven, CT | $72,270 | $66,740 | $34.74 | 60 |
| Honolulu, HI | $71,560 | $64,500 | $34.40 | 40 |
| Spokane, WA | $70,310 | $65,940 | $33.80 | 50 |
| Buffalo, NY | $70,160 | $65,080 | $33.73 | 60 |
| New York, NY | $70,030 | $66,050 | $33.67 | 1,090 |
| Cleveland, OH | $69,520 | $67,390 | $33.42 | 50 |
| Boston, MA | $69,400 | $63,390 | $33.37 | 180 |
| Hartford, CT | $69,320 | $63,950 | $33.33 | 170 |
| Denver, CO | $68,370 | $66,840 | $32.87 | 130 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $67,560 | $62,610 | $32.48 | 130 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $67,190 | $63,950 | $32.30 | 130 |
| Des Moines, IA | $66,860 | $62,000 | $32.14 | 50 |
| Syracuse, NY | $66,680 | $63,370 | $32.06 | 80 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,440 | $61,270 | $31.94 | 110 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $65,770 | $63,710 | $31.62 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO | $65,550 | $62,810 | $31.51 | 60 |
| Madison, WI | $65,460 | $60,960 | $31.47 | 40 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $65,270 | $59,340 | $31.38 | 80 |
| Dallas, TX | $65,090 | $61,000 | $31.30 | 150 |
| Albany, NY | $65,070 | $61,830 | $31.28 | 30 |
| Atlanta, GA | $64,930 | $60,640 | $31.21 | 260 |
| Tampa, FL | $64,770 | $62,390 | $31.14 | 110 |
| San Antonio, TX | $64,520 | $60,750 | $31.02 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $63,990 | $63,740 | $30.77 | 50 |
| Reno, NV | $63,740 | $57,680 | $30.65 | 30 |
| Scranton, PA | $63,280 | $60,550 | $30.43 | 30 |
| Iowa City, IA | $63,010 | $60,140 | $30.29 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $63,000 | $59,560 | $30.29 | 120 |
| Lincoln, NE | $62,770 | $62,980 | $30.18 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE | $62,490 | $58,630 | $30.05 | 70 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $62,400 | $70,960 | $30.00 | 110 |
| Baltimore, MD | $62,040 | $64,700 | $29.83 | 160 |
| Miami, FL | $61,990 | $58,110 | $29.80 | 190 |
| Augusta, GA | $61,650 | $52,010 | $29.64 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $61,630 | $58,980 | $29.63 | 90 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $61,520 | $58,970 | $29.58 | 360 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,510 | $61,250 | $29.57 | 100 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,380 | $62,600 | $29.51 | 230 |
| Louisville, KY | $61,290 | $61,840 | $29.47 | 50 |
| Memphis, TN | $60,730 | $55,270 | $29.20 | 40 |
| Durham, NC | $60,490 | $53,100 | $29.08 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $60,340 | $60,590 | $29.01 | 90 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $59,320 | $61,550 | $28.52 | 60 |
| Chicago, IL | $58,800 | $54,460 | $28.27 | 340 |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,630 | $52,170 | $28.19 | 90 |
| Orlando, FL | $58,580 | $57,290 | $28.16 | 60 |
| Provo, UT | $57,820 | $55,690 | $27.80 | 50 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $56,680 | $58,710 | $27.25 | 60 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $56,510 | $51,780 | $27.17 | 40 |
| Nashville, TN | $56,090 | $53,400 | $26.96 | 50 |
| Boise, ID | $53,990 | $49,720 | $25.96 | 60 |
| Lancaster, PA | $53,960 | $52,820 | $25.94 | 30 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $53,880 | $55,340 | $25.91 | 70 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $53,660 | $52,960 | $25.80 | 100 |
| Greenville, SC | $53,320 | $50,470 | $25.63 | 30 |
| Savannah, GA | $53,130 | $53,080 | $25.54 | 50 |
| Allentown, PA | $52,720 | $47,540 | $25.34 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $51,970 | $48,590 | $24.98 | 30 |
| Columbus, GA | $51,790 | $52,750 | $24.90 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $49,110 | $48,000 | $23.61 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO | $49,100 | $45,270 | $23.61 | 210 |
| Columbia, SC | $48,680 | $43,730 | $23.40 | 100 |
| Ogden, UT | $48,440 | $50,400 | $23.29 | 30 |
| Topeka, KS | $46,470 | $42,180 | $22.34 | 80 |
| Jackson, MS | $45,830 | $38,800 | $22.03 | 60 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $45,340 | $39,260 | $21.80 | 40 |
| San Juan, PR | $44,830 | $33,610 | $21.56 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $40,900 | $36,780 | $19.67 | 140 |
Related jobs
- Dentists, GeneralU.S. average $191,350
- PharmacistsU.S. average $140,920
- Physician AssistantsU.S. average $141,280
- Occupational TherapistsU.S. average $101,280
- Physical TherapistsU.S. average $105,280
- Respiratory TherapistsU.S. average $87,300
- Speech-Language PathologistsU.S. average $98,170
- VeterinariansU.S. average $142,680
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Recreational Therapists salary: questions
Where do recreational therapists make the most money?
In Napa, CA, with an average of $109,290 a year, among the 84 metro areas we cover.
What is the average recreational therapists salary in the U.S.?
$67,630 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $61,960, so half of recreational therapists earn more than that and half less.
What salary should recreational therapists ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of recreational therapists nationwide earn between $50,240 (25th percentile) and $79,930 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California, with a statewide average of $95,420 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is recreational therapists pay the lowest?
Wichita, KS, at $40,900 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1125.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.