SOC 29-1125 · May 2025 · United States
Recreational Therapists
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Recreational Therapists across the United States is $61,960 per year, measured over 14,930 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $98,170.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Recreational Therapists
Pay for this occupation varies by 148.2% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $98,170 and Mississippi pays $39,560.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $98,170 | 1,920 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $95,640 | 50 | |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $82,280 | 70 | |
| 4 | Nevada | $78,730 | 400 | |
| 5 | Washington | $77,860 | 240 | |
| 6 | Minnesota | $76,360 | 250 | |
| 7 | Colorado | $66,580 | 200 | |
| 8 | Oregon | $66,530 | 250 | |
| 9 | New York | $65,520 | 1,230 | |
| 10 | Hawaii | $64,500 | 40 |
States with the most Recreational Therapists jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,920 | $98,170 | |
| 2 | New York | 1,230 | $65,520 | |
| 3 | Texas | 800 | $62,490 | |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 720 | $58,940 | |
| 5 | Kansas | 710 | $40,010 | |
| 6 | Florida | 640 | $57,980 | |
| 7 | Michigan | 590 | $61,700 | |
| 8 | Virginia | 570 | $61,270 | |
| 9 | Georgia | 530 | $52,010 | |
| 10 | Illinois | 440 | $54,910 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockton | $115,330 | 50 |
| 2 | Vallejo | $115,330 | 50 |
| 3 | Napa | $107,810 | 150 |
| 4 | San Francisco | $102,420 | 190 |
| 5 | San Jose | $101,670 | 60 |
| 6 | San Diego | $98,530 | 90 |
| 7 | Fresno | $98,160 | 150 |
| 8 | Riverside | $98,120 | 340 |
| 9 | Sacramento | $91,790 | 90 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $91,740 | 380 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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