Recreational Therapist salary in Ohio
Recreational Therapists in Ohio earn a median of $60,770 a year ($29.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,910 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $61,960. Ohio ranks 20th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.06 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $62,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 25th percentile | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Median | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| 75th percentile | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,910 | $40.82 |
| Average (mean) | $62,290 | $29.95 |
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 | $5,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,337.31 |
| Weekly | $1,168.65 |
| Hourly | $29.22 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $67,390 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,740 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $60,590 | 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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Physicians, All Other | $297,440 | $143.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,870 | $60.03 |
| Pharmacist | $137,020 | $65.87 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,050 | $49.54 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,990 | $42.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,300 | $44.86 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,920 | $38.42 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,090 | $63.51 |
| Veterinarian | $125,060 | $60.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| Dentists, General | $167,410 | $80.49 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $231,810 | $111.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Ohio is $60,770 a year, or $29.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Ohio?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Ohio earn at least $84,910 a year. The top 25% earn $72,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,440 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $50,110 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Ohio?
About 310 recreational therapists are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.