Recreational therapists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$60,280
~$29/hr · ~$5,023/mo
US Jobs
16K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
3/10
Low Risk
AI & Automation Risk
Low Risk 3/10
The core of this occupation involves physical presence, manual assistance, and real-time interpersonal interaction through activities like adaptive sports, dance, and community outings. While AI can significantly assist with digital tasks like patient assessment, treatment planning, and progress documentation, it cannot replace the physical and emotional labor required to lead therapeutic interventions in person.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CABEST VALUE | $102,640 | Above avg (107.6) | $95,419 |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,640 | Above avg (109.4) | $93,856 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,550 | Above avg (104.0) | $89,948 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $96,530 | Above avg (107.3) | $89,928 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $100,820 | Above avg (113.1) | $89,175 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $100,360 | Above avg (117.6) | $85,376 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $93,640 | Above avg (110.7) | $84,558 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $88,610 | Above avg (109.1) | $81,226 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $77,450 | Average (98.3) | $78,801 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $88,300 | Above avg (114.7) | $76,951 |
| Lincoln, NE | $67,140 | Below avg (91.9) | $73,063 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $69,070 | Below avg (95.0) | $72,726 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $68,540 | Below avg (94.9) | $72,207 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $76,250 | Above avg (106.7) | $71,453 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,280 | Above avg (112.7) | $71,214 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+3% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$29/hr
Monthly Income
~$5,023/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)