Recreational Therapist salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Recreational Therapists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $64,700 a year ($31.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,050 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $64,300. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,040, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Median | $64,700 | $31.10 |
| 75th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,050 | $44.26 |
| Average (mean) | $62,040 | $29.83 |
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 | $5,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,695.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,488.46 |
| Weekly | $1,244.23 |
| Hourly | $31.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,050 | 380 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Physicians, All Other | $218,770 | $105.18 |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $322,890 | $155.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $116,130 | $55.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,160 | $48.64 |
| Physician Assistant | $138,790 | $66.73 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,490 | $50.72 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $88,020 | $42.32 |
| Dentists, General | $172,110 | $82.74 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $307,400 | $147.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $64,700 a year, or $31.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $92,050 a year. The top 25% earn $76,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $44,160 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 160 recreational therapists are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.