Recreational Therapist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Recreational Therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $62,000 a year ($29.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 10% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $56,140. 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 $66,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 25th percentile | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Median | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| 75th percentile | $79,400 | $38.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Average (mean) | $66,860 | $32.14 |
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 | $5,166.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,583.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,384.62 |
| Weekly | $1,192.31 |
| Hourly | $29.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $60,140 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,630 | 70 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Pharmacist | $141,110 | $67.84 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,660 | $45.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,790 | $47.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $309,880 | $148.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| Dentists, General | $209,300 | $100.62 |
| Occupational Therapist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,830 | $64.34 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Chiropractor | $74,810 | $35.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,820 | $31.64 |
| Veterinarian | $130,900 | $62.93 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $62,000 a year, or $29.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $86,330 a year. The top 25% earn $79,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,340 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $56,220 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.