Recreational Therapist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Recreational Therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $66,840 a year ($32.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $66,580. There are 0.08 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| 25th percentile | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Median | $66,840 | $32.13 |
| 75th percentile | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,120 | $42.36 |
| Average (mean) | $68,370 | $32.87 |
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 | $5,570 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,785 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,570.77 |
| Weekly | $1,285.38 |
| Hourly | $32.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $66,840 a year, or $32.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $88,120 a year. The top 25% earn $79,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,530 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $60,140 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 130 recreational therapists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.