Recreational Therapists Salary in California
Recreational Therapists in California earn a median annual wage of $98,170 —58.4% above the national median of $61,960. That ranks CA #1 of 48 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.10×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
All 48 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $98,170 | $47.20 | 1,920 | 1.10 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $95,640 | $45.98 | 50 | 0.79 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $82,280 | $39.56 | 70 | 1.11 |
| 4 | Nevada | $78,730 | $37.85 | 400 | 2.66 |
| 5 | Washington | $77,860 | $37.44 | 240 | 0.69 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $76,360 | $36.71 | 250 | 0.89 |
| 7 | Colorado | $66,580 | $32.01 | 200 | 0.73 |
| 8 | Oregon | $66,530 | $31.99 | 250 | 1.34 |
| 9 | New York | $65,520 | $31.50 | 1,230 | 1.33 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $64,500 | $31.01 | 40 | 0.65 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in California?
The median annual wage for recreational therapists in California is $98,170, or $47.20 per hour. That is 58.4% above the national median of $61,960.
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $60,940 per year ($29.30/hour). The 25th percentile is $79,820.
How many people work as recreational therapists in California?
About 1,920 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for recreational therapists?
California ranks #1 of 48 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.10x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays recreational therapists the most?
California has the highest median wage at $98,170 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($95,640) and New Hampshire ($82,280).