Recreational Therapist salary in Virginia
Recreational Therapists in Virginia earn a median of $61,270 a year ($29.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,020 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $61,960. Virginia ranks 19th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.14 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| 25th percentile | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Median | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 75th percentile | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| Average (mean) | $66,490 | $31.96 |
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 | $5,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,552.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,356.54 |
| Weekly | $1,178.27 |
| Hourly | $29.46 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,050 | 380 |
| Richmond, VA | $61,270 | 110 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,560 | 120 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,250 | $46.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $222,630 | $107.03 |
| Veterinarian | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,380 | $37.20 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Virginia is $61,270 a year, or $29.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Virginia earn at least $87,020 a year. The top 25% earn $78,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,580 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $55,520 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Virginia?
About 570 recreational therapists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.