Recreational Therapists Salary in Illinois
Recreational Therapists in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $54,910 —11.4% below the national median of $61,960. That ranks IL #32 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 is only 0.75× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
All 48 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois 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 Illinois
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.
| Occupation | Illinois median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $95,990 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $46,650 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $130,680 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do recreational therapists make in Illinois?
The median annual wage for recreational therapists in Illinois is $54,910, or $26.40 per hour. That is 11.4% below the national median of $61,960.
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Illinois?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $40,560 per year ($19.50/hour). The 25th percentile is $49,700.
How many people work as recreational therapists in Illinois?
About 440 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Illinois a good state for recreational therapists?
Illinois ranks #32 of 48 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.75x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.
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).