Recreational Therapists Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $57,110 -5.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.46
10th percentile $45,380
90th percentile $79,260
Employed locally 120
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Recreational Therapists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,380
    25th
    $48,290
    50th (median)
    $57,110
    75th
    $66,640
    90th
    $79,260

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 71% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 29% 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
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $80,760
    Nevada $77,450
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $76,250
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $66,910

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $81,170
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,130
    Pharmacy Technicians $42,200
    Pharmacists $134,930
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $54,680
    Psychiatric Technicians $46,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Virginia Beach?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $27.46, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.48 or more per hour.

    Is Virginia Beach above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $45,380 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,290.