Recreational Therapists Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $68,540 +13.7% vs national
Median hourly $32.95
10th percentile $50,480
90th percentile $87,060
Employed locally 50
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Buffalo, NY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,480
    25th
    $58,360
    50th (median)
    $68,540
    75th
    $80,810
    90th
    $87,060

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 97% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 3% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Recreational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $107,810
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $102,640
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    California $96,530

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $64,680
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $61,830
    Syracuse, NY $60,950
    Rochester, NY $57,620
    Utica-Rome, NY $55,560

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $95,380
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,570
    Pharmacy Technicians $37,630
    Physicians, All Other $97,960
    Pharmacists $135,410
    Nurse Practitioners $133,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Buffalo, NY is $32.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.45 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Buffalo, NY is 13.7% above the national median of $60,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Recreational Therapists in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $50,480 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,360.