Recreational Therapist salary in Delaware
Recreational Therapists in Delaware earn a median of $51,110 a year ($24.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,290 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $61,960. Delaware ranks 37th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.15 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| 25th percentile | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Median | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| 75th percentile | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Average (mean) | $54,860 | $26.37 |
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 | $4,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,965.77 |
| Weekly | $982.88 |
| Hourly | $24.57 |
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 Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,040 | $63.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $297,470 | $143.01 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,050 | $49.06 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,350 | $67.00 |
| Pharmacist | $152,880 | $73.50 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $228,000 | $109.62 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $91,080 | $43.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,130 | $49.10 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $324,080 | $155.81 |
| Optometrist | $161,270 | $77.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Delaware is $51,110 a year, or $24.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Delaware?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Delaware earn at least $76,290 a year. The top 25% earn $60,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,640 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $44,190 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Delaware?
About 70 recreational therapists are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.