Recreational Therapist salary in Cleveland, OH
Recreational Therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $67,390 a year ($32.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,200 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 11% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $60,770. 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 $69,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| 25th percentile | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Median | $67,390 | $32.40 |
| 75th percentile | $87,480 | $42.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Average (mean) | $69,520 | $33.42 |
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 | $5,615.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,807.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,591.92 |
| Weekly | $1,295.96 |
| Hourly | $32.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,740 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $60,590 | 90 |
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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,940 | $40.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $248,400 | $119.42 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,800 | $62.89 |
| Pharmacist | $140,690 | $67.64 |
| Physical Therapist | $104,030 | $50.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,360 | $38.64 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,060 | $49.55 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,900 | $47.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,860 | $65.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Pediatricians, General | $217,970 | $104.80 |
| Veterinarian | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Dentists, General | $154,800 | $74.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $67,390 a year, or $32.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $95,200 a year. The top 25% earn $87,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,740 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $54,930 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.