Recreational Therapist salary in Kansas
Recreational Therapists in Kansas earn a median of $40,010 a year ($19.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $61,960. Kansas ranks 47th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.49 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| 25th percentile | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Median | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| 75th percentile | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Average (mean) | $43,550 | $20.94 |
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 | $3,334.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,667.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,538.85 |
| Weekly | $769.42 |
| Hourly | $19.24 |
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 Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,270 | 210 |
| Topeka, KS | $42,180 | 80 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,780 | 140 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Physicians, All Other | $221,540 | $106.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,650 | $60.89 |
| Pharmacist | $137,800 | $66.25 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,290 | $47.25 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Veterinarian | $107,080 | $51.48 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $212,090 | $101.97 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,640 | $60.41 |
| Optometrist | $138,580 | $66.63 |
| Anesthesiologist | $437,030 | $210.11 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,830 | $32.13 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Kansas is $40,010 a year, or $19.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Kansas?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Kansas earn at least $60,720 a year. The top 25% earn $50,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,720 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $34,880 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Kansas?
About 710 recreational therapists are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.