Recreational Therapists Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $48,980 -18.7% vs national
Median hourly $23.55
10th percentile $43,660
90th percentile $80,820
Employed locally 30
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,660
    25th
    $44,850
    50th (median)
    $48,980
    75th
    $58,050
    90th
    $80,820

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 51% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 49% 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
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $80,760
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,250
    Lincoln, NE $67,140
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $64,960
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $57,110

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $84,870
    Pharmacy Technicians $41,060
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $59,080
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,890
    Pharmacists $139,170
    Physician Assistants $125,710

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Raleigh?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Raleigh, NC is $23.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.86 or more per hour.

    Is Raleigh above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Raleigh, NC is 18.7% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $43,660 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,850.