Recreational Therapist salary in Lancaster, PA
Recreational Therapists in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $52,820 a year ($25.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,130 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 10% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $58,940. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,150 | $21.23 |
| 25th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Median | $52,820 | $25.39 |
| 75th percentile | $58,320 | $28.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,130 | $33.72 |
| Average (mean) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
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 | $4,401.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,200.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,031.54 |
| Weekly | $1,015.77 |
| Hourly | $25.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,250 | 100 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,550 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,540 | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $39,260 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Pharmacist | $134,320 | $64.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,940 | $64.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,070 | $59.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,460 | $49.26 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| Veterinarian | $132,480 | $63.69 |
| Dentists, General | $141,960 | $68.25 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $294,800 | $141.73 |
| Chiropractor | $72,560 | $34.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $52,820 a year, or $25.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $70,130 a year. The top 25% earn $58,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,150 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,310 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Lancaster, PA?
About 30 recreational therapists are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.