Recreational Therapist salary in Mississippi
Recreational Therapists in Mississippi earn a median of $39,560 a year ($19.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,170 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $61,960. Mississippi ranks 48th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| 25th percentile | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Median | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| 75th percentile | $53,170 | $25.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Average (mean) | $45,200 | $21.73 |
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 | $3,296.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,648.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,521.54 |
| Weekly | $760.77 |
| Hourly | $19.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Mississippi at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $55,270 | 40 |
| Jackson, MS | $38,800 | 60 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,730 | $59.96 |
| Pharmacist | $133,230 | $64.05 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| Dentists, General | $143,660 | $69.07 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $235,630 | $113.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $198,410 | $95.39 |
| Veterinarian | $105,370 | $50.66 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $252,960 | $121.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Mississippi is $39,560 a year, or $19.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Mississippi earn at least $65,170 a year. The top 25% earn $53,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,570 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $34,800 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Mississippi?
About 140 recreational therapists are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.