Recreational Therapist salary in Illinois
Recreational Therapists in Illinois earn a median of $54,910 a year ($26.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,190 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $61,960. Illinois ranks 32nd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $59,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 25th percentile | $49,700 | $23.89 |
| Median | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| 75th percentile | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,190 | $41.44 |
| Average (mean) | $59,160 | $28.44 |
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 | $4,575.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,287.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,111.92 |
| Weekly | $1,055.96 |
| Hourly | $26.40 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,810 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $54,460 | 340 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Illinois is $54,910 a year, or $26.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Illinois earn at least $86,190 a year. The top 25% earn $65,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,560 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,700 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Illinois?
About 440 recreational therapists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.