Recreational Therapist salary in Alabama
Recreational Therapists in Alabama earn a median of $57,360 a year ($27.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,110 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $61,960. Alabama ranks 29th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $60,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| 25th percentile | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Median | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| 75th percentile | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Average (mean) | $60,460 | $29.07 |
Half of recreational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,780 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,390 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,206.15 |
| Weekly | $1,103.08 |
| Hourly | $27.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $52,750 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | $69.75 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make in Alabama?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Alabama is $57,360 a year, or $27.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Alabama earn at least $87,110 a year. The top 25% earn $66,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,840 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,670 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Alabama?
About 160 recreational therapists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.