Recreational Therapist salary in Kentucky
Recreational Therapists in Kentucky earn a median of $59,240 a year ($28.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,590 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $61,960. Kentucky ranks 23rd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $58,460, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 25th percentile | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Median | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| 75th percentile | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Average (mean) | $58,460 | $28.11 |
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 | $4,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,468.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,278.46 |
| Weekly | $1,139.23 |
| Hourly | $28.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,740 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,840 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,520 | $106.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $248,730 | $119.58 |
| Anesthesiologist | $347,960 | $167.29 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Kentucky is $59,240 a year, or $28.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Kentucky earn at least $77,590 a year. The top 25% earn $64,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,850 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,280 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Kentucky?
About 100 recreational therapists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.