Recreational Therapists earn a median of $61,960 per year ($29.79/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.8% through 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 29-1125
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Recreational Therapist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $61,960a year, or $29.79/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $41KTop 10% $100K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.8%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,40015,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202515.6K
- Projected 203516.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 15.6K Projected 2035 16.3K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's91.9%
- Post-bacc certificate5.4%
- Master's2.7%
Highest education held by recreational therapists Segment Value Bachelor's 91.9% Post-bacc certificate 5.4% Master's 2.7%
Also advertised as: Activities Coordinator, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), General Activities Therapist, Recreation Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator.
Pay
How much do Recreational Therapists make?
Every recreational therapist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$61,960
Middle half earn $50,240 to $79,930
- 10th
- $40,990
- 25th
- $50,240
- 75th
- $79,930
- 90th
- $100,420
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,990 |
| 25th | $50,240 |
| Median | $61,960 |
| 75th | $79,930 |
| 90th | $100,420 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $61,960
- Median hourly wage
- $29.79/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $67,630
- People employed
- 14,930
Versus all US occupations
At $61,960, Recreational Therapists earn 22% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,980 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 40% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $100,420 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,990, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 35% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $98,170, and still leads at $88,665 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Recreational Therapists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $98,170 | $88,665 | 1,920 |
| 2District of Columbia | $95,640 | $87,024 | 50 |
| 3New Hampshire | $82,280 | $78,990 | 70 |
| 4Nevada | $78,730 | $78,747 | 400 |
| 5Washington | $77,860 | $72,758 | 240 |
| 6Minnesota | $76,360 | $77,428 | 250 |
| 7Colorado | $66,580 | $64,608 | 200 |
| 8Oregon | $66,530 | $64,367 | 250 |
| 9New York | $65,520 | $60,711 | 1,230 |
| 10Hawaii | $64,500 | $58,662 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Recreational Therapist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +4.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Recreational Therapists | +4.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Recreational Therapists to change 4.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, 9.0% of the 15,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Demand for recreational therapists is expected to increase in some industries. For example, psychiatric facilities use recreational therapy as a key component of treatment for people struggling with mental illness or addiction. Recreational therapists will be needed to help these patients regain their physical and mental health and to support them in their recovery.
In addition, as large numbers of the U.S. population move into older age groups, more people will need recreational therapists to help them maintain and improve their functional abilities. Therapists also will be needed to help healthy seniors remain social, active, and independent in their communities as they age. However, funding challenges around the provision of recreational therapy services in some settings, such as nursing homes, may dampen demand for the occupation.
Getting in
How to become a Recreational Therapist
Recreational therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may require or prefer therapists to be certified.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as recreational therapists.
- Bachelor's Degree91.9%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5.4%
- Master's Degree2.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 91.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.4% |
| Master's Degree | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Recreational Therapist do?
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.
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs to help maintain or improve patients’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. These therapists use a variety of techniques, including art expression; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings.
Day-to-day tasks
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
- Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
- Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
- Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most recreational therapists work full time. Some recreational therapists work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of their patients.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where recreational therapists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private42%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals21%
- Nursing and residential care facilities20%
- Ambulatory healthcare services7%
- Social assistance5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 42% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 21% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 20% |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 7% |
| Social assistance | 5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.4
- Learning Strategies3.4
- Monitoring3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Service Orientation4.1
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Coordination4.0
- Instructing3.9
- Complex Problem Solving3.5
- Persuasion3.4
- Time Management3.3
- Negotiation3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 4.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 4.0 |
| Instructing | 3.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
| Persuasion | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Negotiation | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Internet browser software
- Medical software
- Music or sound editing software
- Voice recognition software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Recreational Therapist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Recreational Therapist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Social6.8
- Investigative4.3
- Realistic3.7
- Artistic2.9
- Conventional2.7
- Enterprising2.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Recreational Therapist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Support
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with recreational therapists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
- Recreational Therapist$61,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within recreational therapist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Recreational Therapist appears on
Questions
Recreational Therapist: frequently asked questions
How much do Recreational Therapists make?
Recreational Therapists earn a median of $61,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.79/hr. The middle half earn between $50,240 and $79,930. The top 10% earn $100,420 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Recreational Therapist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Recreational Therapists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 91.9% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Recreational Therapist a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Recreational Therapist do?
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs to help maintain or improve patients’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. A core O*NET task: instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Recreational Therapists the most?
The highest state medians for Recreational Therapists are California ($98,170), District of Columbia ($95,640), New Hampshire ($82,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Recreational Therapist?
O*NET scores Recreational Therapists highest on the Social, Investigative and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFP, ISFP, ENFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.