Recreational Therapist salary in Georgia
Recreational Therapists in Georgia earn a median of $52,010 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,500 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $61,960. Georgia ranks 34th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.11 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,330 | $14.10 |
| 25th percentile | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Median | $52,010 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,500 | $44.47 |
| Average (mean) | $58,080 | $27.92 |
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 | $4,334.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,167.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,000.38 |
| Weekly | $1,000.19 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
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 Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,640 | 260 |
| Savannah, GA | $53,080 | 50 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $52,750 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,010 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,590 | 30 |
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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| Pharmacist | $137,120 | $65.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,430 | $62.22 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,880 | $128.31 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Physician Assistant | $115,390 | $55.48 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $425,460 | $204.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $83,700 | $40.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Occupational Therapist | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Veterinarian | $126,590 | $60.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Georgia is $52,010 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Georgia?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Georgia earn at least $92,500 a year. The top 25% earn $64,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,330 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,340 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Georgia?
About 530 recreational therapists are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.