Recreational Therapist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Recreational Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $54,460 a year ($26.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,400 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $54,910. There are 0.08 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $58,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 25th percentile | $49,700 | $23.89 |
| Median | $54,460 | $26.18 |
| 75th percentile | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Average (mean) | $58,800 | $28.27 |
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 | $4,538.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,269.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,094.62 |
| Weekly | $1,047.31 |
| Hourly | $26.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,740 | 50 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,810 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,840 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $52,960 | 100 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $54,460 a year, or $26.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $85,400 a year. The top 25% earn $63,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,560 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,700 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 340 recreational therapists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.