Recreational Therapist salary in District of Columbia
Recreational Therapists in District of Columbia earn a median of $95,640 a year ($45.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,340 for the top 10%. That is 54% higher than the national median of $61,960. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. 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 $88,060, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 25th percentile | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Median | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| 75th percentile | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,340 | $56.89 |
| Average (mean) | $88,060 | $42.34 |
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 | $7,970 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,985 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,678.46 |
| Weekly | $1,839.23 |
| Hourly | $45.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,050 | 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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for recreational therapists in District of Columbia is $95,640 a year, or $45.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in District of Columbia earn at least $118,340 a year. The top 25% earn $109,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,840 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $60,600 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in District of Columbia?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.