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

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

79% career growth potential

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

Entry-Level (P10)
$56,080
$4,673/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$69,310
$5,776/mo
Senior (P90)
$100,110
$8,342/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$56,080
National: $40,071
+40.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$69,310
National: $54,597
+26.9%
Senior (P90)
$100,110
National: $80,162
+24.9%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Recreational Therapists in Washington spans from $56,080 at entry-level to $100,110 at senior level — a difference of $44,030 per year.

P10
$56K
P25
$58K
Median
$69K
P75
$86K
P90
$100K

Career Growth Premium: +79%

Senior Recreational Therapistss in Washington earn $44,030 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$44,030
Monthly Difference
+$3,669
Hourly Difference
+$21.17
Growth Multiple
1.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $56,080 $4,673 $26.96
Early Career P25 $58,650 $4,888 $28.20
Mid-Career Median $69,310 $5,776 $33.32
Experienced P75 $86,220 $7,185 $41.45
Senior / Expert P90 $100,110 $8,342 $48.13
Key Insight

Recreational Therapists in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 79% growth from entry-level ($56,080) to senior ($100,110). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($69,310) and P90 ($100,110) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Washington Compares to Other States

Where does Washington rank for Recreational Therapists senior-level salaries? Compare Washington'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%

Ready to Advance Your Recreational Therapists Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Recreational Therapistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $56,080 per year, or $4,673 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $58,650. 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 $100,110 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $86,220. This represents a career premium of 79% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Recreational Therapists?

The career salary growth potential for Recreational Therapistss is 79%. Entry-level professionals start at $56,080, while senior-level can earn up to $100,110 — a difference of $44,030 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Recreational Therapistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Recreational Therapistss is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $100,110 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 Washington 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 Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

Explore More in Washington

Related Analysis
Recreational Therapists Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in Washington Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook