Recreational Therapist Salary

The average Recreational Therapist Salary  is calculated by the US Government Bureau of Labor Statistics from a variety of sources. Recreational Therapists work in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics and medical offices.  A Recreational Therapists salary will vary depending on the location and the setting. Area of specialization also plays a part in how much they earn.  The assumption was made that the Recreational Therapists reflected here were working an average of 40 hours per week with a total of 2080 hours per year.

Recreational Therapist Salary: Median Hourly and Annual Data

HOURLY

A Recreational Therapists median salary is $16.10 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $9.68 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $25.73 per hour.

ANNUALLY

On an annual basis the median Recreational Therapist salary is $33,480 The lowest 10% earn less than $20,140 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $53,520 per year. These salaries are calculated as a mean or average. 

Lowest and Highest Recreational Therapist Salary

The lowest paid Recreational Therapists earn less with mean or average wages below $9.00 per hour.  Presumably this is offset by costs of living and other factors. The lower pay levels are associated with rural areas.  The highest pay levels are found in major metropolitan areas where the mean or average wage is over $25.00 per hour.  Demand and low supply seem to be a significant factor in fueling higher salaries. 

Top 5 States

The best states to earn a Recreational Therapist salary are Washington $44,900, California $43,430, District of Columbia $42,800, Hawaii $42,730, and Connecticut $42,640.

Top 5 Metropolitan Areas

The best city or metropolitan areas to earn a Recreational Therapist salary are San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City CA $54,610, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA $54,190, Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI $50,830, Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY $48,060, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $47,570.

Private Practice Vs Employment

Recreational Therapist work primarily as supportive personnel under the supervision of radiologists.  The nature of their work limits the opportunities for self-employment.

EMPLOYMENT DATA

It is estimated that there are 23,260 Recreational Therapists employed in the U.S.

Where They Work

Over 6,560 Recreational Therapists work in nursing care facilities. An additional 1,560 work in elder care facilities. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals and general hospitals employ over 7,000 more.  State and Federal government employs almost 3,000 recreational therapists.  

Benefits

Fringe benefits such as vacation, health insurance and retirement plans will vary depending on the work setting and size of the employer.  Individuals in private practice will have similar benefits enjoyed by self-employed or sole proprietor businesses. A typical employment benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year.

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