Recreational Therapists Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 45 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Recreational Therapists Salary in All 50 States
Compare Recreational Therapists pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96,530 | $93,270 | $61,270 | $112,550 | 1,780 |
| Washington | $78,620 | $79,420 | $60,920 | $104,070 | 200 |
| Nevada | $77,450 | $75,310 | $50,290 | $97,700 | 410 |
| New Hampshire | $74,780 | $70,860 | $41,900 | $92,250 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $67,300 | $67,870 | $45,000 | $86,860 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $64,880 | $68,570 | $48,550 | $97,540 | 360 |
| Oregon | $64,000 | $64,210 | $45,300 | $81,140 | 250 |
| Illinois | $63,610 | $67,720 | $47,150 | $94,470 | 290 |
| New York | $63,520 | $66,270 | $48,140 | $85,890 | 1,310 |
| Michigan | $63,200 | $61,970 | $48,540 | $73,330 | 450 |
| Colorado | $62,630 | $62,040 | $42,840 | $85,110 | N/A |
| Arizona | $61,110 | $66,150 | $49,710 | $88,400 | 150 |
| Wyoming | $61,080 | $61,270 | $51,540 | $74,960 | 30 |
| Connecticut | $61,030 | $66,960 | $46,520 | $99,230 | 340 |
| Ohio | $60,210 | $61,250 | $44,940 | $80,180 | 310 |
| Maryland | $58,390 | $59,600 | $40,210 | $82,490 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $57,960 | $56,770 | $36,210 | $73,580 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $57,540 | $62,380 | $42,200 | $92,870 | 260 |
| Virginia | $57,330 | $61,630 | $42,170 | $88,320 | 560 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,690 | $56,600 | $36,230 | $77,010 | 750 |
| Florida | $56,220 | $60,580 | $40,070 | $88,360 | 560 |
| Nebraska | $55,910 | $56,650 | $38,830 | $75,670 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $55,010 | $58,580 | $46,840 | $78,370 | 430 |
| Maine | $54,500 | $56,010 | $37,480 | $72,930 | 50 |
| Texas | $54,190 | $81,870 | $33,540 | $203,440 | 1,030 |
| Kentucky | $54,030 | $53,200 | $34,090 | $73,740 | 170 |
| Missouri | $53,620 | $58,900 | $36,980 | $84,640 | 230 |
| Alabama | $52,050 | $56,460 | $41,630 | $80,540 | 200 |
| Indiana | $51,930 | $55,350 | $44,340 | $72,040 | 220 |
| Montana | $51,490 | $58,130 | $38,650 | $89,860 | 40 |
| Utah | $51,490 | $56,740 | $41,370 | $81,150 | 260 |
| Idaho | $50,960 | $54,390 | $43,710 | $72,300 | 90 |
| Iowa | $50,520 | $55,430 | $41,400 | $81,880 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $50,510 | $53,300 | $35,780 | $79,790 | 130 |
| Georgia | $50,010 | $51,290 | $28,590 | $72,830 | 410 |
| South Carolina | $49,170 | $50,570 | $30,310 | $74,960 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $48,590 | $53,680 | $39,770 | $78,230 | 480 |
| New Mexico | $47,880 | $62,190 | $41,830 | $120,160 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $47,350 | $48,730 | $32,540 | $65,000 | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $46,920 | $50,950 | $34,290 | $75,180 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $45,060 | $48,650 | $27,390 | $88,460 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $44,900 | $50,640 | $33,930 | $84,640 | 90 |
| Delaware | $42,310 | $50,940 | $40,320 | $68,540 | 70 |
| Kansas | $39,690 | $42,440 | $31,130 | $57,590 | 710 |
| Mississippi | $38,170 | $44,790 | $29,950 | $67,670 | 150 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Recreational Therapists Salary FAQs
Which state pays Recreational Therapistss the most?
California pays the highest median salary for Recreational Therapistss at $96,530 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: California ($96,530), Washington ($78,620), Nevada ($77,450), New Hampshire ($74,780), Minnesota ($67,300).
What is the average Recreational Therapists salary nationally?
The average median Recreational Therapists salary across all 45 states is $56,674 per year. The salary ranges from $38,170 in Mississippi to $96,530 in California — a difference of $58,360.
Which state pays Recreational Therapistss the least?
Mississippi has the lowest median Recreational Therapists salary at $38,170 per year. However, cost of living in Mississippi may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.