Recreational Therapists Salary in Pittsburgh, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA

Median annual salary $55,320 -8.2% vs national
Median hourly $26.60
10th percentile $36,780
90th percentile $76,310
Employed locally 130
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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Recreational Therapists
in
Pittsburgh, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,780
    25th
    $40,890
    50th (median)
    $55,320
    75th
    $61,470
    90th
    $76,310

    Pittsburgh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,942 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 75% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 25% 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 Pittsburgh, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $81,190
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,790
    Physicians, All Other $172,490
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,760
    Pharmacists $131,950
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $56,550

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Pittsburgh?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Pittsburgh, PA is $26.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.42 or more per hour.

    Is Pittsburgh above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Pittsburgh, PA is 8.2% 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 Pittsburgh?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $36,780 per year in Pittsburgh, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,890.