Recreational Therapists Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $66,910 +11% vs national
Median hourly $32.17
10th percentile $46,080
90th percentile $96,680
Employed locally 360
National median $60,280

Compare Recreational Therapists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Recreational Therapists
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,080
    25th
    $53,420
    50th (median)
    $66,910
    75th
    $84,600
    90th
    $96,680

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 54% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 46% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $101,800
    Physicians, All Other $191,880
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $71,900
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,550
    Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other $162,610
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $71,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $32.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.18 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 11% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $46,080 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $53,420.