Recreational Therapist salary in New Haven, CT
Recreational Therapists in the New Haven, CT metro area earn a median of $66,740 a year ($32.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,650 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 6% higher than the Connecticut statewide median of $63,240. There are 0.21 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in New Haven, CT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 25th percentile | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Median | $66,740 | $32.09 |
| 75th percentile | $92,580 | $44.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Average (mean) | $72,270 | $34.74 |
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 | $5,561.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,780.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,566.92 |
| Weekly | $1,283.46 |
| Hourly | $32.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $63,950 | 170 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $59,340 | 80 |
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 Connecticut statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Haven, CT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $104,490 | $50.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Pharmacist | $141,290 | $67.93 |
| Physician Assistant | $149,960 | $72.10 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,820 | $47.03 |
| Dentists, General | $129,380 | $62.20 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Pediatricians, General | $219,550 | $105.55 |
| Psychiatrist | $381,890 | $183.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Haven, CT
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 New Haven, CT?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the New Haven, CT metro area is $66,740 a year, or $32.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in New Haven, CT?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the New Haven, CT metro area earn at least $101,650 a year. The top 25% earn $92,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in New Haven, CT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,020 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $56,680 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in New Haven, CT?
About 60 recreational therapists are employed in the New Haven, CT metro area, not counting the self-employed.