Recreational Therapist salary in Nebraska
Recreational Therapists in Nebraska earn a median of $62,980 a year ($30.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $61,960. Nebraska ranks 14th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.15 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,600, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| 25th percentile | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Median | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 75th percentile | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| Average (mean) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
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 | $5,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,624.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,422.31 |
| Weekly | $1,211.15 |
| Hourly | $30.28 |
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 Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $62,980 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,630 | 70 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Pharmacist | $139,330 | $66.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,130 | $63.52 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,090 | $46.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,040 | $63.96 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,580 | $44.51 |
| Physicians, All Other | $290,470 | $139.65 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $221,360 | $106.42 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Dentists, General | $179,750 | $86.42 |
| Veterinarian | $103,500 | $49.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Nebraska is $62,980 a year, or $30.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Nebraska earn at least $79,080 a year. The top 25% earn $72,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,370 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,430 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Nebraska?
About 150 recreational therapists are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.