Recreational Therapists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Recreational Therapists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Recreational Therapists earn a median salary of $61,960 per year, ranking in the top 49% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.8% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do recreational therapists earn?

The median annual wage for recreational therapists is $61,960. That puts recreational therapists at #404 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is recreational therapists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for recreational therapists is +4.8%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 15K positions in 2024 to 16K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do recreational therapists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working recreational therapists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
2. 2.Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.Develop discharge plans for patients.
5. 5.Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
6. 6.Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
7. 7.Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
8. 8.Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.

Top skills for recreational therapists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become recreational therapist?

Becoming a recreational therapist typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Paramedics
  $60,600 median
• Exercise Physiologists
  $59,460 median
• Medical Records Specialists
  $51,140 median
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
  $50,290 median
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
  $47,380 median
• Opticians, Dispensing
  $47,260 median

Common questions parents ask about recreational therapists