Recreational Therapist salary in Massachusetts
Recreational Therapists in Massachusetts earn a median of $62,820 a year ($30.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,890 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Massachusetts ranks 15th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.06 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $66,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| 25th percentile | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Median | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| 75th percentile | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,890 | $45.62 |
| Average (mean) | $66,680 | $32.06 |
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 | $5,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,617.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,416.15 |
| Weekly | $1,208.08 |
| Hourly | $30.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,390 | 180 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,550 | $50.27 |
| Physicians, All Other | $236,580 | $113.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $142,440 | $68.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,170 | $66.43 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Physician Assistant | $142,410 | $68.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $277,490 | $133.41 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Dentists, General | $181,600 | $87.31 |
| Pediatricians, General | $221,170 | $106.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Massachusetts is $62,820 a year, or $30.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Massachusetts earn at least $94,890 a year. The top 25% earn $72,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,090 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $53,260 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Massachusetts?
About 210 recreational therapists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.