Recreational Therapist salary in Arizona
Recreational Therapists in Arizona earn a median of $62,610 a year ($30.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,230 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Arizona ranks 16th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $67,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| 25th percentile | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Median | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| 75th percentile | $82,490 | $39.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| Average (mean) | $67,490 | $32.45 |
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 | $5,217.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,608.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.08 |
| Weekly | $1,204.04 |
| Hourly | $30.10 |
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 Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $62,610 | 130 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,420 | $64.63 |
| Pharmacist | $146,930 | $70.64 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,490 | $150.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,220 | $49.62 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,010 | $48.56 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,650 | $64.73 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Dentists, General | $194,180 | $93.36 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,800 | $47.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,760 | $140.75 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Veterinarian | $152,020 | $73.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Arizona is $62,610 a year, or $30.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Arizona earn at least $90,230 a year. The top 25% earn $82,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,710 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $55,820 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Arizona?
About 170 recreational therapists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.