Recreational Therapists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Arkansas (2024)

How does Recreational Therapists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Arkansas? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

129% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Arkansas salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$37,210
$3,101/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$51,670
$4,306/mo
Senior (P90)
$85,030
$7,086/mo

Arkansas vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$37,210
National: $40,071
-7.1%
Mid-Career (Median)
$51,670
National: $54,597
-5.4%
Senior (P90)
$85,030
National: $80,162
+6.1%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Recreational Therapists in Arkansas spans from $37,210 at entry-level to $85,030 at senior level — a difference of $47,820 per year.

P10
$37K
P25
$43K
Median
$51K
P75
$73K
P90
$85K

Career Growth Premium: +129%

Senior Recreational Therapistss in Arkansas earn $47,820 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$47,820
Monthly Difference
+$3,985
Hourly Difference
+$22.99
Growth Multiple
2.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Recreational Therapists salary increases with experience in Arkansas, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $37,210 $3,101 $17.89
Early Career P25 $43,350 $3,612 $20.84
Mid-Career Median $51,670 $4,306 $24.84
Experienced P75 $73,690 $6,141 $35.43
Senior / Expert P90 $85,030 $7,086 $40.88
Key Insight

Recreational Therapists in Arkansas shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $37,210, while senior-level professionals earn $85,030 — a 129% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($51,670) and experienced level ($73,690), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Arkansas Compares to Other States

Where does Arkansas rank for Recreational Therapists senior-level salaries? Compare Arkansas's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$123,110
Entry: $39K
+208%
2
$109,920
Entry: $56K
+94%
3
$101,430
Entry: $59K
+71%
4
$100,110
Entry: $56K
+79%
5
$97,710
Entry: $48K
+103%
6
$97,470
Entry: $43K
+125%
7
$95,760
Entry: $45K
+110%
8
$90,450
Entry: $36K
+147%
9
$89,750
Entry: $43K
+104%
10
$89,380
Entry: $47K
+87%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Recreational Therapists?

Entry-level Recreational Therapistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $37,210 per year, or $3,100 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $43,350. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Recreational Therapists make?

Senior Recreational Therapistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $85,030 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $73,690. This represents a career premium of 129% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Recreational Therapists?

The career salary growth potential for Recreational Therapistss is 129%. Entry-level professionals start at $37,210, while senior-level can earn up to $85,030 — a difference of $47,820 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Recreational Therapistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Recreational Therapistss is Arkansas, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $85,030 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Recreational Therapists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Arkansas from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Arkansas.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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