Recreational Therapist salary in Missouri
Recreational Therapists in Missouri earn a median of $58,620 a year ($28.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,500 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $61,960. Missouri ranks 25th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $62,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| 25th percentile | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Median | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| 75th percentile | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
| Average (mean) | $62,160 | $29.89 |
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 | $4,885 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,442.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,254.62 |
| Weekly | $1,127.31 |
| Hourly | $28.18 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,810 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,270 | 210 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,930 | $62.47 |
| Pharmacist | $137,610 | $66.16 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,310 | $47.75 |
| Physicians, All Other | $227,980 | $109.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,280 | $42.92 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Dentists, General | $204,960 | $98.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,130 | $64.96 |
| Veterinarian | $114,660 | $55.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,450 | $31.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Missouri is $58,620 a year, or $28.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Missouri earn at least $93,500 a year. The top 25% earn $67,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,000 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,660 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Missouri?
About 140 recreational therapists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.