Recreational Therapists Salary by State
The national median pay for recreational therapists is $61,960 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,560 in Mississippi to $98,170 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $40,990
- 25th percentile
- $50,240
- Median
- $61,960
- 75th percentile
- $79,930
- Top 10%
- $100,420
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 14,930 jobs.
Median pay in 47 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $98,170 | +58% | $60,940 | $115,370 | 1,920 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $95,640 | +54% | $50,840 | $118,340 | 50 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $82,280 | +33% | $53,060 | $98,310 | 70 |
| 4 | Nevada | $78,730 | +27% | $46,380 | $98,630 | 400 |
| 5 | Washington | $77,860 | +26% | $61,070 | $108,200 | 240 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $76,360 | +23% | $55,210 | $97,570 | 250 |
| 7 | Colorado | $66,580 | +7% | $44,530 | $88,120 | 200 |
| 8 | Oregon | $66,530 | +7% | $51,210 | $83,780 | 250 |
| 9 | New York | $65,520 | +6% | $49,940 | $91,370 | 1,230 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $64,500 | +4% | $45,920 | $95,040 | 40 |
| 11 | Maryland | $64,300 | +4% | $39,220 | $95,490 | 290 |
| 12 | Vermont | $63,380 | +2% | $49,830 | $79,170 | 40 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $63,240 | +2% | $46,350 | $101,650 | 380 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $62,980 | +2% | $40,370 | $79,080 | 150 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $62,820 | +1% | $49,090 | $94,890 | 210 |
| 16 | Arizona | $62,610 | +1% | $49,710 | $90,230 | 170 |
| 17 | Texas | $62,490 | +1% | $36,210 | $213,790 | 800 |
| 18 | Michigan | $61,700 | 0% | $42,270 | $73,690 | 590 |
| 19 | Virginia | $61,270 | −1% | $49,580 | $87,020 | 570 |
| 20 | Ohio | $60,770 | −2% | $46,440 | $84,910 | 310 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $60,400 | −3% | $49,810 | $85,580 | 430 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $59,350 | −4% | $48,650 | $81,330 | 350 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $59,240 | −4% | $37,850 | $77,590 | 100 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $58,940 | −5% | $39,690 | $80,340 | 720 |
| 25 | Missouri | $58,620 | −5% | $43,000 | $93,500 | 140 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $58,370 | −6% | $40,100 | $70,570 | 80 |
| 27 | Florida | $57,980 | −6% | $41,400 | $86,610 | 640 |
| 28 | Maine | $57,560 | −7% | $39,480 | $77,130 | 40 |
| 29 | Alabama | $57,360 | −7% | $43,840 | $87,110 | 160 |
| 30 | Utah | $56,640 | −9% | $31,730 | $86,260 | 210 |
| 31 | Iowa | $56,140 | −9% | $43,580 | $81,970 | 230 |
| 32 | Illinois | $54,910 | −11% | $40,560 | $86,190 | 440 |
| 33 | Indiana | $53,770 | −13% | $38,550 | $76,750 | 190 |
| 34 | Georgia | $52,010 | −16% | $29,330 | $92,500 | 530 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $51,910 | −16% | $37,080 | $78,850 | 150 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $51,150 | −17% | $36,590 | $67,220 | 190 |
| 37 | Delaware | $51,110 | −18% | $42,640 | $76,290 | 70 |
| 38 | Montana | $51,110 | −18% | $38,210 | $86,260 | 40 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $51,030 | −18% | $41,490 | $78,340 | 440 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $50,480 | −19% | $32,920 | $77,910 | 120 |
| 41 | Idaho | $49,720 | −20% | $39,920 | $72,360 | 90 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $49,210 | −21% | $41,600 | $110,470 | 100 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $49,010 | −21% | $36,580 | $118,410 | 130 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $48,880 | −21% | $38,290 | $74,670 | 190 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $46,850 | −24% | $41,390 | $83,780 | 40 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $42,670 | −31% | $31,130 | $82,960 | 70 |
| 47 | Kansas | $40,010 | −35% | $29,720 | $60,720 | 710 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $39,560 | −36% | $30,570 | $65,170 | 140 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Recreational Therapists salary questions
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California, with a median of $98,170 a year (+58% vs. the national median of $61,960). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays recreational therapists the least?
Mississippi, with a median of $39,560 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most recreational therapists work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,920, with a median of $98,170.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.