SOC 29-1125 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreational Therapists — New York
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ · 4 metro areas compared
At $66,050, median pay for Recreational Therapists in New York, NY tracks the national median of $61,960 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $66,050, median pay for Recreational Therapists in New York, NY tracks the national median of $61,960 closely. Pay ranges from under $50,250 at the tenth percentile to more than $95,830 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $55,890 to $79,560.
Employment stands at 1,090, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Buffalo records the highest median at $65,080. Of the 757 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 423rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,250 | −18.9% |
| 25th | $55,890 | −9.8% |
| Median (50th) | $66,050 | +6.6% |
| 75th | $79,560 | +28.4% |
| 90th | $95,830 | +54.7% |
| Mean | $70,030 | +13.0% |
Other metro areas in New York
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New York run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $66,050 buys what $61,214 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$66,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,214US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $66,050 a year, 6.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,250 to $95,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,090 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Buffalo, at $65,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreational Therapists in New York, NY?
The median annual wage is $66,050, or $31.75 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $61,960, so pay in New York, NY is 6.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in New York, NY earns more than $95,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,250 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Buffalo, at $65,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,090 jobs in this occupation in New York, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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