Recreational Therapist salary in Utah
Recreational Therapists in Utah earn a median of $56,640 a year ($27.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $61,960. Utah ranks 30th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Utah
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,730 | $15.26 |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Median | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| 75th percentile | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Average (mean) | $58,520 | $28.14 |
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 | $4,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,360 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,178.46 |
| Weekly | $1,089.23 |
| Hourly | $27.23 |
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 Utah
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $63,710 | 90 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $55,690 | 50 |
| Ogden, UT | $50,400 | 30 |
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 Utah
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,600 | $40.67 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,120 | $43.81 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,060 | $109.64 |
| Pharmacist | $144,240 | $69.34 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,920 | $62.94 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,740 | $64.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,650 | $38.77 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Dentists, General | $133,320 | $64.10 |
| Veterinarian | $123,990 | $59.61 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $297,510 | $143.03 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Utah
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 Utah?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Utah is $56,640 a year, or $27.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Utah?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Utah earn at least $86,260 a year. The top 25% earn $67,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Utah?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,730 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $48,510 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Utah?
About 210 recreational therapists are employed in Utah, not counting the self-employed.