Recreational Therapist salary in Oregon
Recreational Therapists in Oregon earn a median of $66,530 a year ($31.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $61,960. Oregon ranks 8th 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 $67,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| 25th percentile | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Median | $66,530 | $31.99 |
| 75th percentile | $70,320 | $33.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Average (mean) | $67,670 | $32.53 |
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 | $5,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,772.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,558.85 |
| Weekly | $1,279.42 |
| Hourly | $31.99 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $72,390 | 60 |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $129,010 | $62.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $347,180 | $166.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,080 | $58.69 |
| Pharmacist | $165,960 | $79.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,510 | $49.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $155,680 | $74.85 |
| Physician Assistant | $155,780 | $74.89 |
| Dentists, General | $211,690 | $101.77 |
| Veterinarian | $128,880 | $61.96 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,660 | $49.35 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $293,240 | $140.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $100,560 | $48.34 |
| Occupational Therapist | $112,310 | $54.00 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Oregon is $66,530 a year, or $31.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Oregon?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Oregon earn at least $83,780 a year. The top 25% earn $70,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,210 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $62,770 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Oregon?
About 250 recreational therapists are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.