Recreational Therapist salary in Iowa City, IA
Recreational Therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $60,140 a year ($28.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,120 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 7% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $56,140. There are 0.39 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| 25th percentile | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| Median | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| 75th percentile | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Average (mean) | $63,010 | $30.29 |
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 | $5,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,313.08 |
| Weekly | $1,156.54 |
| Hourly | $28.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,140 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,000 | 50 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Physicians, All Other | $257,340 | $123.72 |
| Pharmacist | $142,530 | $68.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,770 | $64.79 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,020 | $44.24 |
| Chiropractor | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Occupational Therapist | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $60,140 a year, or $28.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $83,120 a year. The top 25% earn $74,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,780 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $51,780 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Iowa City, IA?
About 40 recreational therapists are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.