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Recreational Therapists Salary in Washington

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Recreational Therapists make in Washington?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$77,860
Median Annual Salary
▼ -1.0% vs 2024
$81,020
Mean Salary
$77,860
Median Salary
$37.43
Hourly Rate
240 people work as Recreational Therapists in Washington

Recreational Therapists salary by percentile in Washington

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Recreational Therapists salary in Washington — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Recreational Therapists in Washington.10thBottom 10% earn less than $61,070$61,07025th25% earn less than $65,940$65,940MedianHalf earn more than $77,860$77,86075th75% earn less than $92,930$92,93090thTop 10% earn more than $108,200$108,200

Recreational Therapists in Washington earn a median salary of $77,860 per year ($6,488/month). This is 30.1% above the national average of $59,828. Washington ranks #5 out of 48 states for Recreational Therapists pay. Approximately 240 people work in this occupation across Washington. Salaries decreased by 1.0% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Recreational Therapists

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Top Skills

Service Orientation
4.12
Active Listening
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Social Perceptiveness
4.0
Coordination
4.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Psychology
4.55
Therapy and Counseling
4.53
Customer and Personal Service
4.42
Education and Training
4.16
English Language
4.08
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree (91.9% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Recreational Therapists in Washington

Salaries for Recreational Therapists in Washington range from $61,070 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $108,200 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $65,940 and $92,930.

Median $77,860
P10: $61,070 P25: $65,940 P75: $92,930 P90: $108,200
10th
$61,070
25th
$65,940
Median
$77,860
75th
$92,930
90th
$108,200
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $61,070 $29.36 $5,089
25th Percentile $65,940 $31.70 $5,495
Median (50th) $77,860 $37.43 $6,488
75th Percentile $92,930 $44.68 $7,744
90th Percentile (Experienced) $108,200 $52.02 $9,016

Note: The mean (average) salary of $81,020 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#5
Washington ranks #5 of 48 states
$59,828
National avg. for Recreational Therapists
+30.1%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Recreational Therapists salary in Washington adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Recreational Therapists take-home pay in Washington after taxes →

Explore Recreational Therapists Data in Washington

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

Recreational Therapists Salary by State

Compare Recreational Therapists pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

California $98,170 District of Columbia $95,640 New Hampshire $82,280 Nevada $78,730 Minnesota $76,360 Colorado $66,580 Oregon $66,530 New York $65,520 Hawaii $64,500 Maryland $64,300

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in Washington

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in Washington.

Dietetic TechniciansSimilar $47,000 Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansSimilar $48,840 Opticians, DispensingSimilar $49,220 Psychiatric TechniciansSimilar $52,470 Emergency Medical TechniciansSimilar $52,690 Pharmacy TechniciansSimilar $58,900 Health Information Technologists and Medical RegistrarsSimilar $59,640 Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansSimilar $59,740 Medical Records SpecialistsSimilar $62,270 Athletic TrainersSimilar $63,750

View all jobs in Washington →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Recreational Therapists make in Washington?
The median annual salary for Recreational Therapists in Washington is $77,860 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $81,020.
What is the salary range for a Recreational Therapists in Washington?
Salaries for Recreational Therapists in Washington range from $61,070 at the 10th percentile to $108,200 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $65,940 and $92,930.
What is the starting salary for a Recreational Therapists in Washington?
Entry-level Recreational Therapists positions in Washington typically start around $61,070 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $65,940 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Recreational Therapists in Washington?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 240 people are employed as Recreational Therapists in Washington.
What is the hourly rate for a Recreational Therapists in Washington?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Recreational Therapists in Washington is approximately $37.43 per hour.

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More About Washington

Salary Data
All Salaries in Washington Average Salary in Washington Highest Paying Jobs in Washington
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in Washington $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in Washington
Top Cities in Washington
Seattle Spokane Tacoma Vancouver
Top Colleges in Washington
Bellevue College Bellingham Technical College Big Bend Community College Central Washington University

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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