Recreational Therapist salary in Minnesota
Recreational Therapists in Minnesota earn a median of $76,360 a year ($36.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,570 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $61,960. Minnesota ranks 6th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.09 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,120, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| 25th percentile | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Median | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| 75th percentile | $84,200 | $40.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| Average (mean) | $75,120 | $36.12 |
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 | $6,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,181.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,936.92 |
| Weekly | $1,468.46 |
| Hourly | $36.71 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mankato, MN | $81,950 | 30 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,980 | 150 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,510 | $48.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,260 | $64.07 |
| Pharmacist | $159,740 | $76.80 |
| Physicians, All Other | $367,320 | $176.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $103,970 | $49.99 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,050 | $44.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,190 | $67.88 |
| Dentists, General | $219,200 | $105.39 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $373,700 | $179.66 |
| Veterinarian | $133,110 | $64.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $266,190 | $127.98 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $280,030 | $134.63 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Minnesota is $76,360 a year, or $36.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Minnesota earn at least $97,570 a year. The top 25% earn $84,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,210 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $65,160 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Minnesota?
About 250 recreational therapists are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.