Recreational Therapist salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Recreational Therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $45,270 a year ($21.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,280 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 23% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $58,620. There are 0.19 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,880 | $15.33 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Median | $45,270 | $21.76 |
| 75th percentile | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Average (mean) | $49,100 | $23.61 |
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 | $3,772.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,886.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,741.15 |
| Weekly | $870.58 |
| Hourly | $21.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,810 | 60 |
| Topeka, KS | $42,180 | 80 |
| Wichita, KS | $36,780 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,040 | $39.92 |
| Physicians, All Other | $126,260 | $60.70 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,760 | $62.87 |
| Pharmacist | $139,460 | $67.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | $44.59 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Dentists, General | $171,690 | $82.54 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $218,080 | $104.85 |
| Veterinarian | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,950 | $102.86 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,820 | $33.57 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $45,270 a year, or $21.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $65,280 a year. The top 25% earn $60,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,880 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $36,680 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 210 recreational therapists are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.