Recreational Therapist salary in Florida
Recreational Therapists in Florida earn a median of $57,980 a year ($27.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,610 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $61,960. Florida ranks 27th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.06 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $60,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,400 | $19.90 |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Median | $57,980 | $27.87 |
| 75th percentile | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,610 | $41.64 |
| Average (mean) | $60,090 | $28.89 |
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 | $4,831.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,415.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230 |
| Weekly | $1,115 |
| Hourly | $27.87 |
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 Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $62,390 | 110 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,710 | 60 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $58,110 | 190 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $57,290 | 60 |
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 Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,190 | $40.48 |
| Physicians, All Other | $262,180 | $126.05 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,510 | $62.26 |
| Pharmacist | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,040 | $48.58 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Dentists, General | $174,900 | $84.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,620 | $62.32 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,160 | $39.02 |
| Veterinarian | $131,660 | $63.30 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $210,570 | $101.24 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,050 | $36.56 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Florida
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 Florida?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Florida is $57,980 a year, or $27.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Florida?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Florida earn at least $86,610 a year. The top 25% earn $66,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,400 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,480 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Florida?
About 640 recreational therapists are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.