Recreational Therapists Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $57,060 -5.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.44
10th percentile $41,630
90th percentile $77,010
Employed locally 380
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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Recreational Therapists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,630
    25th
    $47,190
    50th (median)
    $57,060
    75th
    $65,990
    90th
    $77,010

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 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
    Napa, CA $107,810
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $68,670
    Reading, PA $67,550
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $62,480
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $61,510
    Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $61,270

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $99,210
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $67,150
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,450
    Physicians, All Other $179,220
    Pharmacists $137,960
    Nurse Practitioners $131,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Philadelphia?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $27.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.47 or more per hour.

    Is Philadelphia above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 5.3% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $41,630 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,190.