Recreational Therapist salary in New York
Recreational Therapists in New York earn a median of $65,520 a year ($31.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,370 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $61,960. New York ranks 9th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.13 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| 25th percentile | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Median | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| 75th percentile | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,370 | $43.93 |
| Average (mean) | $68,960 | $33.15 |
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 | $5,460 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,730 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,520 |
| Weekly | $1,260 |
| Hourly | $31.50 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $66,050 | 1,090 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $65,080 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,370 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $61,830 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $58,980 | 90 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $142,090 | $68.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 | $116.59 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $106,130 | $51.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $183,460 | $88.20 |
| Dentists, General | $183,060 | $88.01 |
| Anesthesiologist | $445,660 | $214.26 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $107,810 | $51.83 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,480 | $39.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for recreational therapists in New York is $65,520 a year, or $31.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in New York?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in New York earn at least $91,370 a year. The top 25% earn $78,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,940 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $57,980 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in New York?
About 1,230 recreational therapists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.