Recreational Therapist salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Recreational Therapists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $61,830 a year ($29.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,260 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 6% lower than the New York statewide median of $65,520. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $65,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| 25th percentile | $53,770 | $25.85 |
| Median | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| 75th percentile | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,260 | $45.32 |
| Average (mean) | $65,070 | $31.28 |
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 | $5,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.08 |
| Weekly | $1,189.04 |
| Hourly | $29.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $66,050 | 1,090 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $65,080 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,370 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $58,980 | 90 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Pharmacist | $136,720 | $65.73 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,590 | $64.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,850 | $66.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,160 | $39.50 |
| Physicians, All Other | $314,460 | $151.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Anesthesiologist | $471,720 | $226.79 |
| Dentists, General | $193,780 | $93.16 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,250 | $40.98 |
| Veterinarian | $131,680 | $63.31 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $79,130 | $38.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $61,830 a year, or $29.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $94,260 a year. The top 25% earn $72,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,750 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $53,770 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 30 recreational therapists are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.