Recreational Therapists Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $100,360 +66.5% vs national
Median hourly $48.25
10th percentile $73,220
90th percentile $142,570
Employed locally 150
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

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

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Recreational Therapists
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $73,220
    25th
    $82,920
    50th (median)
    $100,360
    75th
    $116,830
    90th
    $142,570

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 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
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $102,640
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530
    California $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
    California $96,530
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $188,020
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $90,810
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,390
    Pharmacy Technicians $61,990
    Pharmacists $183,510
    Dental Hygienists $146,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in San Francisco, CA is $48.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in San Francisco, CA is 66.5% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $73,220 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,920.