Recreational Therapist salary in Iowa
Recreational Therapists in Iowa earn a median of $56,140 a year ($26.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,970 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $61,960. Iowa ranks 31st of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. 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 $59,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 25th percentile | $50,910 | $24.48 |
| Median | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| 75th percentile | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,970 | $39.41 |
| Average (mean) | $59,030 | $28.38 |
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 | $4,678.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,339.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,159.23 |
| Weekly | $1,079.62 |
| Hourly | $26.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,140 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,000 | 50 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,050 | $38.97 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,190 | $141.92 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Dentists, General | $181,520 | $87.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 | $127.50 |
| Veterinarian | $124,610 | $59.91 |
| Chiropractor | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,760 | $35.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Iowa is $56,140 a year, or $26.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Iowa earn at least $81,970 a year. The top 25% earn $64,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,580 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $50,910 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Iowa?
About 230 recreational therapists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.