Recreational Therapist salary in Fresno, CA
Recreational Therapists in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median of $98,160 a year ($47.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $98,170. There are 0.32 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,480, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Fresno, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,720 | $39.29 |
| 25th percentile | $95,980 | $46.14 |
| Median | $98,160 | $47.19 |
| 75th percentile | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,370 | $55.47 |
| Average (mean) | $97,480 | $46.87 |
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 | $8,180 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,090 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,775.38 |
| Weekly | $1,887.69 |
| Hourly | $47.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $115,330 | 50 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,330 | 50 |
| Napa, CA | $107,810 | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,420 | 190 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,670 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,530 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $98,120 | 340 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,790 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,740 | 380 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $125,420 | $60.30 |
| Pharmacist | $169,160 | $81.33 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,960 | $53.35 |
| Physical Therapist | $123,820 | $59.53 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $83,340 | $40.07 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $166,570 | $80.08 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,730 | $48.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $315,390 | $151.63 |
| Pediatricians, General | $289,290 | $139.08 |
| Physician Assistant | $155,440 | $74.73 |
| Dentists, General | $188,510 | $90.63 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,650 | $133.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $116,690 | $56.10 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $93,470 | $44.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fresno, CA
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 Fresno, CA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Fresno, CA metro area is $98,160 a year, or $47.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Fresno, CA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Fresno, CA metro area earn at least $115,370 a year. The top 25% earn $98,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Fresno, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,720 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $95,980 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Fresno, CA?
About 150 recreational therapists are employed in the Fresno, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.