Recreational Therapist salary in Maryland
Recreational Therapists in Maryland earn a median of $64,300 a year ($30.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,490 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $61,960. Maryland ranks 11th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.10 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,340, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| Median | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| 75th percentile | $77,600 | $37.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| Average (mean) | $63,340 | $30.45 |
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 | $5,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,679.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,473.08 |
| Weekly | $1,236.54 |
| Hourly | $30.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,050 | 380 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $64,700 | 160 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Physicians, All Other | $212,080 | $101.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,110 | $63.03 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $164,670 | $79.17 |
| Pharmacist | $138,990 | $66.82 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,830 | $51.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $260,410 | $125.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,560 | $66.13 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Dentists, General | $168,500 | $81.01 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,800 | $37.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Maryland is $64,300 a year, or $30.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Maryland?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Maryland earn at least $95,490 a year. The top 25% earn $77,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $45,420 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Maryland?
About 290 recreational therapists are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.