Recreational Therapists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $53,660 -11% vs national
Median hourly $25.80
10th percentile $44,570
90th percentile $83,810
Employed locally 60
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,570
    25th
    $46,940
    50th (median)
    $53,660
    75th
    $73,070
    90th
    $83,810

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 64% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 36% 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
    California $96,530
    District of Columbia $92,010
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $66,910
    Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $65,850
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,240
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $61,510

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Physical Therapists $98,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Des Moines, IA is $25.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.51 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Des Moines, IA is 11% below 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $44,570 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,940.