Recreational Therapist salary in West Virginia
Recreational Therapists in West Virginia earn a median of $49,010 a year ($23.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $61,960. West Virginia ranks 43rd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.18 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 25th percentile | $42,460 | $20.41 |
| Median | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| 75th percentile | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Average (mean) | $59,120 | $28.42 |
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 | $4,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,042.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,885 |
| Weekly | $942.50 |
| Hourly | $23.56 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,050 | 380 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,320 | $61.21 |
| Pharmacist | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,020 | $124.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,670 | $33.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $72,680 | $34.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,440 | $43.00 |
| Dentists, General | $170,370 | $81.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for recreational therapists in West Virginia is $49,010 a year, or $23.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in West Virginia earn at least $118,410 a year. The top 25% earn $62,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,580 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $42,460 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in West Virginia?
About 130 recreational therapists are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.