Recreational Therapist salary in Nevada
Recreational Therapists in Nevada earn a median of $78,730 a year ($37.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,630 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $61,960. Nevada ranks 4th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.26 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,530, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Nevada
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| 25th percentile | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Median | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| 75th percentile | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Average (mean) | $71,530 | $34.39 |
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 | $6,560.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,280.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,028.08 |
| Weekly | $1,514.04 |
| Hourly | $37.85 |
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 Nevada
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $78,730 | 340 |
| Reno, NV | $57,680 | 30 |
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 Nevada
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $103,670 | $49.84 |
| Pharmacist | $140,030 | $67.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $252,120 | $121.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $111,250 | $53.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Dental Hygienist | $115,290 | $55.43 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,480 | $41.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,510 | $50.25 |
| Dentists, General | $162,200 | $77.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,660 | $64.74 |
| Occupational Therapist | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Veterinarian | $125,550 | $60.36 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,030 | $33.19 |
| Optometrist | $135,650 | $65.22 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nevada
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 Nevada?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Nevada is $78,730 a year, or $37.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Nevada?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Nevada earn at least $98,630 a year. The top 25% earn $82,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Nevada?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,380 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $56,640 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Nevada?
About 400 recreational therapists are employed in Nevada, not counting the self-employed.