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Recreational Therapists Salary in Kansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Recreational Therapists salary really buy you in Kansas?

Kansas is 10.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$39,690
Median annual (2024)
+11.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$44,100
COL-adjusted (RPP=90.0)

Kansas Cost of Living Index

Kansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 90.0, meaning prices are 10.0% lower the national average. A Recreational Therapists earning $39,690 in Kansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,100 in an average-cost US state.

KS: 90.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $31,130 $34,588 +$3,458
25th Percentile (P25) $35,530 $39,477 +$3,947
Median (P50) $39,690 $44,100 +$4,410
75th Percentile (P75) $46,890 $52,100 +$5,210
90th Percentile (P90) $57,590 $63,988 +$6,398
Key Insight

A Recreational Therapists in Kansas earns $39,690 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $44,100 in an average-cost state. This makes Kansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Recreational Therapists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Recreational Therapists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$85,804
RPP 112.5
2. Nevada
$80,342
RPP 96.4
$71,602
RPP 109.8
$69,498
RPP 107.6
$68,884
RPP 97.7
$67,665
RPP 93.4
7. Wyoming
$66,463
RPP 91.9
8. Ohio
$65,803
RPP 91.5
$65,343
RPP 88.7
10. Illinois
$62,793
RPP 101.3

Kansas ranks #43 out of 45 states for Recreational Therapists after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Recreational Therapists in Kansas after cost of living?

A Recreational Therapists in Kansas earns a median salary of $39,690 per year. After adjusting for Kansas's cost of living (RPP=90.0), the real purchasing power is $44,100 — a +11.1% difference.

Is Kansas expensive to live in?

Kansas's cost of living is 10.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kansas is 90.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Recreational Therapists in Kansas: $39,690 x (100 / 90.0) = $44,100. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Recreational Therapists in Kansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Recreational Therapists in Kansas enjoys 11.1% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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