Recreational Therapists
SOC code 29-1125 · O*NET-SOC 29-1125.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Healthcare
Recreational Therapists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$61,960
a year
Hourly
$29.79
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$67,630
$32.52 per hour
Middle 50%
$50,240 – $79,930
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$40,990 – $100,420
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
14,930
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $40,990
- $19.71/hr
- 25th percentile
- $50,240
- $24.16/hr
- Median percentile
- $61,960
- $29.79/hr
- 75th percentile
- $79,930
- $38.43/hr
- 90th percentile
- $100,420
- $48.28/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+3%
Growing about as fast as average
16,100
jobs in 2024
16,600
projected for 2034
About 500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- 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.
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- 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.
- Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
How to become a recreational therapist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 92% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree92%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5%
- Master's Degree3%
Common questions
How much does a recreational therapist earn?
The national median is $61,960 a year. The full range runs from $40,990 at the 10th percentile to $100,420 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a recreational therapist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is recreational therapist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Psychology4.5/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Instructing, Complex Problem Solving.