Recreational Therapist salary in Jackson, MS
Recreational Therapists in the Jackson, MS metro area earn a median of $38,800 a year ($18.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,740 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 2% lower than the Mississippi statewide median of $39,560. There are 0.23 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Jackson, MS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| 25th percentile | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Median | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| 75th percentile | $53,380 | $25.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Average (mean) | $45,830 | $22.03 |
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 | $3,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,616.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,492.31 |
| Weekly | $746.15 |
| Hourly | $18.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,270 | 40 |
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 Mississippi statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jackson, MS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,630 | $39.73 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,730 | $59.96 |
| Pharmacist | $132,080 | $63.50 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,340 | $47.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Dentists, General | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $200,500 | $96.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Veterinarian | $104,390 | $50.19 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $297,790 | $143.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Jackson, MS
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 Jackson, MS?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Jackson, MS metro area is $38,800 a year, or $18.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Jackson, MS?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Jackson, MS metro area earn at least $61,740 a year. The top 25% earn $53,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Jackson, MS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,800 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $38,800 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Jackson, MS?
About 60 recreational therapists are employed in the Jackson, MS metro area, not counting the self-employed.