Recreational Therapists Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $88,300 +46.5% vs national
Median hourly $42.45
10th percentile $60,060
90th percentile $104,930
Employed locally 370
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Recreational Therapists
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,060
    25th
    $72,860
    50th (median)
    $88,300
    75th
    $98,110
    90th
    $104,930

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 94% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 6% 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
    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
    California $96,530

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,440
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $76,290
    Pharmacy Technicians $48,600
    Pharmacists $158,450
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $62,430
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $55,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Los Angeles, CA is $42.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.87 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Los Angeles, CA is 46.5% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $60,060 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $72,860.