Recreational Therapist salary in California
Recreational Therapists in California earn a median of $98,170 a year ($47.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%. That is 58% higher than the national median of $61,960. California ranks 1st of 48 states for recreational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.10 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,420, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| 25th percentile | $79,820 | $38.38 |
| Median | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| 75th percentile | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,370 | $55.47 |
| Average (mean) | $95,420 | $45.88 |
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 | $8,180.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,090.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,775.77 |
| Weekly | $1,887.88 |
| Hourly | $47.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $115,330 | 50 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,330 | 50 |
| Napa, CA | $107,810 | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $102,420 | 190 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,670 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,530 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,160 | 150 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $98,120 | 340 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $91,790 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $91,740 | 380 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for recreational therapists in California is $98,170 a year, or $47.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in California?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in California earn at least $115,370 a year. The top 25% earn $107,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,940 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $79,820 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in California?
About 1,920 recreational therapists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.