Recreational Therapist salary in Texas
Recreational Therapists in Texas earn a median of $62,490 a year ($30.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,790 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Texas ranks 17th 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 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $90,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Median | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| 75th percentile | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,790 | $102.78 |
| Average (mean) | $90,570 | $43.55 |
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 | $5,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,603.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,403.46 |
| Weekly | $1,201.73 |
| Hourly | $30.04 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $61,000 | 150 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $60,750 | 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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Physicians, All Other | $269,800 | $129.71 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,670 | $63.31 |
| Pharmacist | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Dentists, General | $162,360 | $78.06 |
| Veterinarian | $131,330 | $63.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,710 | $113.32 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,440 | $35.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Texas is $62,490 a year, or $30.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $213,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Texas?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Texas earn at least $213,790 a year. The top 25% earn $99,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,210 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $47,550 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Texas?
About 800 recreational therapists are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.