Recreational Therapist salary in Arkansas
Recreational Therapists in Arkansas earn a median of $42,670 a year ($20.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,960 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $61,960. Arkansas ranks 46th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.06 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $47,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| Median | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| 75th percentile | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| Average (mean) | $47,890 | $23.02 |
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 | $3,555.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,777.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,641.15 |
| Weekly | $820.58 |
| Hourly | $20.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,670 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,270 | 40 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Arkansas is $42,670 a year, or $20.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Arkansas earn at least $82,960 a year. The top 25% earn $49,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,130 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $31,140 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Arkansas?
About 70 recreational therapists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.