Recreational Therapist salary in Pennsylvania
Recreational Therapists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $58,940 a year ($28.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,340 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pennsylvania ranks 24th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 25th percentile | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Median | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| 75th percentile | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Average (mean) | $59,450 | $28.58 |
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 | $4,911.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,455.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,266.92 |
| Weekly | $1,133.46 |
| Hourly | $28.34 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,250 | 100 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,550 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $52,820 | 30 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,540 | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $39,260 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Pennsylvania is $58,940 a year, or $28.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Pennsylvania earn at least $80,340 a year. The top 25% earn $65,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,690 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,820 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Pennsylvania?
About 720 recreational therapists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.