Recreational Therapist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Recreational Therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $53,100 a year ($25.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,060 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $51,030. There are 0.15 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $50,510 | $24.28 |
| Median | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| 75th percentile | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Average (mean) | $60,490 | $29.08 |
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 | $4,425 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,212.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,042.31 |
| Weekly | $1,021.15 |
| Hourly | $25.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,560 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,170 | 90 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $51,780 | 40 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | $67.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | $63.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,460 | $40.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Veterinarian | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Dentists, General | $208,490 | $100.24 |
| Acupuncturist | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| Audiologist | $92,470 | $44.46 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $214,620 | $103.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $53,100 a year, or $25.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $90,060 a year. The top 25% earn $63,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,020 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $50,510 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.