Recreational Therapist salary in Lincoln, NE
Recreational Therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $62,980 a year ($30.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $62,980. There are 0.30 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,770, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 25th percentile | $51,860 | $24.93 |
| Median | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 75th percentile | $69,790 | $33.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| Average (mean) | $62,770 | $30.18 |
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 | $5,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,624.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,422.31 |
| Weekly | $1,211.15 |
| Hourly | $30.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Pharmacist | $149,590 | $71.92 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,440 | $59.83 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,050 | $61.56 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $91,860 | $44.16 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $209,990 | $100.96 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,620 | $157.03 |
| Dentists, General | $204,530 | $98.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Veterinarian | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Chiropractor | $85,220 | $40.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $62,980 a year, or $30.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $79,080 a year. The top 25% earn $69,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,570 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $51,860 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Lincoln, NE?
About 50 recreational therapists are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.