Recreational Therapist salary in Colorado
Recreational Therapists in Colorado earn a median of $66,580 a year ($32.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $61,960. Colorado ranks 7th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.07 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $67,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| 25th percentile | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Median | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| 75th percentile | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,120 | $42.36 |
| Average (mean) | $67,540 | $32.47 |
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 | $5,548.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,774.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,560.77 |
| Weekly | $1,280.38 |
| Hourly | $32.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $66,840 | 130 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Colorado is $66,580 a year, or $32.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Colorado earn at least $88,120 a year. The top 25% earn $78,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,530 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $55,010 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Colorado?
About 200 recreational therapists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.