Recreational Therapists Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $62,690 +4% vs national
Median hourly $30.14
10th percentile $47,860
90th percentile $99,880
Employed locally 210
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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Recreational Therapists
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,860
    25th
    $51,970
    50th (median)
    $62,690
    75th
    $80,970
    90th
    $99,880

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 71% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Recreational Therapists

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

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $88,610
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,250
    St. Louis, MO-IL $69,070
    Illinois $63,610
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $62,480
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $61,790

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians$45,570
    Physicians, All Other$215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$72,920
    Pharmacists$137,610
    Physical Therapists$104,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Chicago, IL-IN is $30.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.06 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 4% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $47,860 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,970.