Recreational Therapist salary in Washington
Recreational Therapists in Washington earn a median of $77,860 a year ($37.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,200 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $61,960. Washington ranks 5th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $81,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| 25th percentile | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Median | $77,860 | $37.44 |
| 75th percentile | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Average (mean) | $81,020 | $38.95 |
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 | $6,488.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,244.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,994.62 |
| Weekly | $1,497.31 |
| Hourly | $37.44 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,660 | 140 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $72,390 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $65,940 | 50 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Washington is $77,860 a year, or $37.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Washington?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Washington earn at least $108,200 a year. The top 25% earn $92,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,070 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $65,940 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Washington?
About 240 recreational therapists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.