Recreational Therapist salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Recreational Therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,590 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 6% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $51,150. There are 0.15 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 75th percentile | $57,560 | $27.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Average (mean) | $49,110 | $23.61 |
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 | $4,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.15 |
| Weekly | $923.08 |
| Hourly | $23.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $413,620 | $198.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Dentists, General | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | $62.82 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Veterinarian | $126,890 | $61.01 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $268,210 | $128.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $61,590 a year. The top 25% earn $57,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,400 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $41,600 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 60 recreational therapists are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.