Recreational Therapists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $93,640 +55.3% vs national
Median hourly $45.02
10th percentile $60,170
90th percentile $105,150
Employed locally 90
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Recreational Therapists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,170
    25th
    $77,530
    50th (median)
    $93,640
    75th
    $102,640
    90th
    $105,150

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 92% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 8% 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
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    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

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in San Diego, CA is $45.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $55.47 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in San Diego, CA is 55.3% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $60,170 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,530.