Recreational Therapists Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $64,240 +6.6% vs national
Median hourly $30.89
10th percentile $42,840
90th percentile $91,420
Employed locally 170
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Denver, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,840
    25th
    $48,640
    50th (median)
    $64,240
    75th
    $74,080
    90th
    $91,420

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 63% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 37% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    District of Columbia $92,010
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $80,280
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,250
    Lincoln, NE $67,140
    Colorado $62,630

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$98,500
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$75,030
    Pharmacy Technicians$48,670
    Pharmacists$152,200
    Physical Therapists$102,670
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$69,570

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Denver, CO is $30.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.36 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Denver, CO is 6.6% 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $42,840 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,640.