Recreational Therapist salary in Topeka, KS
Recreational Therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $42,180 a year ($20.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,280 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 5% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $40,010. There are 0.70 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Median | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| 75th percentile | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Average (mean) | $46,470 | $22.34 |
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 | $3,515 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,757.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,622.31 |
| Weekly | $811.15 |
| Hourly | $20.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,270 | 210 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,780 | 140 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,820 | $39.34 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,740 | $63.82 |
| Physicians, All Other | $451,910 | $217.26 |
| Pharmacist | $140,820 | $67.70 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,220 | $42.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,570 | $46.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Veterinarian | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Dentists, General | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,800 | $62.41 |
| Optometrist | $130,930 | $62.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area is $42,180 a year, or $20.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $61,280 a year. The top 25% earn $53,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,790 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $36,680 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Topeka, KS?
About 80 recreational therapists are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.