Recreational Therapist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Recreational Therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $61,250 a year ($29.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,070 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 4% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $58,940. There are 0.09 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 25th percentile | $47,560 | $22.86 |
| Median | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| 75th percentile | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,070 | $40.42 |
| Average (mean) | $61,510 | $29.57 |
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 | $5,104.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,552.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,355.77 |
| Weekly | $1,177.88 |
| Hourly | $29.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $187,680 | $90.23 |
| Pharmacist | $134,180 | $64.51 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,230 | $60.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $119,630 | $57.52 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $275,930 | $132.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $75,960 | $36.52 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,860 | $43.68 |
| Dentists, General | $155,250 | $74.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,260 | $32.34 |
| Veterinarian | $128,290 | $61.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $61,250 a year, or $29.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $84,070 a year. The top 25% earn $72,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,690 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,560 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 100 recreational therapists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.