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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 100 | $48,940 | $23.53 | |
| Arizona | 200 | $53,790 | $25.86 | |
| Arkansas | 50 | $48,880 | $23.50 | |
| California | 1,950 | $71,380 | $34.32 | |
| Colorado | 310 | $47,470 | $22.82 | |
| Connecticut | 250 | $61,640 | $29.64 | |
| Delaware | 70 | $42,130 | $20.26 | |
| District of Columbia | 70 | $68,770 | $33.06 | |
| Florida | 790 | $50,720 | $24.39 | |
| Georgia | 580 | $46,870 | $22.53 | |
| Idaho | 90 | $48,250 | $23.20 | |
| Illinois | 470 | $58,510 | $28.13 | |
| Indiana | 420 | $41,600 | $20.00 | |
| Iowa | 340 | $48,480 | $23.31 | |
| Kansas | 580 | $34,090 | $16.39 | |
| Kentucky | 120 | $50,240 | $24.15 | |
| Louisiana | 230 | $45,480 | $21.86 | |
| Maine | 40 | $51,390 | $24.71 | |
| Maryland | 330 | $49,090 | $23.60 | |
| Massachusetts | 410 | $54,460 | $26.19 | |
| Michigan | 860 | $50,780 | $24.41 | |
| Minnesota | 580 | $51,580 | $24.80 | |
| Mississippi | 220 | $36,380 | $17.49 | |
| Missouri | 290 | $49,260 | $23.68 | |
| Nebraska | 60 | $52,800 | $25.38 | |
| Nevada | 120 | $50,990 | $24.51 | |
| New Hampshire | 80 | $56,270 | $27.05 | |
| New Jersey | 450 | $66,920 | $32.17 | |
| New Mexico | 130 | $39,820 | $19.14 | |
| New York | 1,530 | $59,850 | $28.77 | |
| North Carolina | 450 | $48,430 | $23.29 | |
| Ohio | 550 | $49,410 | $23.75 | |
| Oklahoma | 160 | $39,830 | $19.15 | |
| Oregon | 130 | $63,760 | $30.66 | |
| Pennsylvania | 770 | $52,950 | $25.46 | |
| South Carolina | 200 | $47,730 | $22.95 | |
| Tennessee | 160 | $45,900 | $22.07 | |
| Texas | 1,100 | $57,890 | $27.83 | |
| Utah | 310 | $45,290 | $21.78 | |
| Virginia | 500 | $49,900 | $23.99 | |
| Washington | 310 | $59,870 | $28.78 | |
| West Virginia | 80 | $45,250 | $21.76 | |
| Wisconsin | 380 | $49,590 | $23.84 | |
| Wyoming | 40 | $52,740 | $25.36 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to plan, organize, and direct recreational activities designed to promote health and well-being for patients who are physically, mentally, or emotionally disabled. Includes instruction in the foundations of therapeutic recreation, leisure education and counseling, program planning, therapeutic recreational modalities, basic anatomy and physiology, psychology, medical terminology, human growth and development, patient observation and evaluation, special needs populations, and professional standards and ethics.
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$53,900 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as recreational therapists.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 16%
- College dropout 10%
- Associate’s degree 5%
- Bachelor’s degree 53%
- Master’s degree 13%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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