Recreational Therapist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Recreational Therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $62,810 a year ($30.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,980 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $58,620. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $65,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| 25th percentile | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Median | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| 75th percentile | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Average (mean) | $65,550 | $31.51 |
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 | $5,234.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,617.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,415.77 |
| Weekly | $1,207.88 |
| Hourly | $30.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $54,460 | 340 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,270 | 210 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $62,810 a year, or $30.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $102,980 a year. The top 25% earn $78,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,550 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,760 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 60 recreational therapists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.