Recreational Therapist salary in New Jersey
Recreational Therapists in New Jersey earn a median of $60,400 a year ($29.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,580 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $61,960. New Jersey ranks 21st 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 $65,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| 25th percentile | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Median | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| 75th percentile | $75,180 | $36.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| Average (mean) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
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 | $5,033.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,516.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,323.08 |
| Weekly | $1,161.54 |
| Hourly | $29.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $66,050 | 1,090 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,540 | 30 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,010 | $137.02 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | $66.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,690 | $79.66 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,170 | $140.47 |
| Dentists, General | $171,330 | $82.37 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $89,990 | $43.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 Jersey?
The median salary for recreational therapists in New Jersey is $60,400 a year, or $29.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in New Jersey earn at least $85,580 a year. The top 25% earn $75,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,810 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $55,890 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in New Jersey?
About 430 recreational therapists are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.