Recreational Therapist salary in Indiana
Recreational Therapists in Indiana earn a median of $53,770 a year ($25.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,750 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $61,960. Indiana ranks 33rd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.06 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $55,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| 25th percentile | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| Median | $53,770 | $25.85 |
| 75th percentile | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 |
| Average (mean) | $55,700 | $26.78 |
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 | $4,480.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,240.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,068.08 |
| Weekly | $1,034.04 |
| Hourly | $25.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,740 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,840 | 50 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $54,460 | 340 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,830 | $61.94 |
| Physicians, All Other | $366,190 | $176.06 |
| Pharmacist | $144,290 | $69.37 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,330 | $44.39 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,020 | $46.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,730 | $38.33 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $314,390 | $151.15 |
| Dentists, General | $166,650 | $80.12 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,050 | $63.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,450 | $31.95 |
| Veterinarian | $124,530 | $59.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Indiana is $53,770 a year, or $25.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Indiana?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Indiana earn at least $76,750 a year. The top 25% earn $63,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,550 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $45,560 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Indiana?
About 190 recreational therapists are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.