Recreational Therapist salary in North Carolina
Recreational Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $51,030 a year ($24.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,340 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $61,960. North Carolina ranks 39th 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 $55,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| 25th percentile | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Median | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| 75th percentile | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,340 | $37.66 |
| Average (mean) | $55,950 | $26.90 |
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 | $4,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,126.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,962.69 |
| Weekly | $981.35 |
| Hourly | $24.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,560 | 120 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $53,100 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,170 | 90 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $51,780 | 40 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for recreational therapists in North Carolina is $51,030 a year, or $24.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in North Carolina earn at least $78,340 a year. The top 25% earn $63,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,490 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $45,950 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in North Carolina?
About 440 recreational therapists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.