Recreational Therapist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Recreational Therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $65,080 a year ($31.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,210 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% lower than the New York statewide median of $65,520. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| 25th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Median | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| 75th percentile | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,210 | $41.45 |
| Average (mean) | $70,160 | $33.73 |
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 | $5,423.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,711.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,503.08 |
| Weekly | $1,251.54 |
| Hourly | $31.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,080 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 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,370 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $61,830 | 30 |
| 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Physicians, All Other | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $186,600 | $89.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Veterinarian | $127,500 | $61.30 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, 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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $65,080 a year, or $31.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $86,210 a year. The top 25% earn $77,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,090 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $60,420 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 60 recreational therapists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.