Recreational Therapist salary in North Dakota
Recreational Therapists in North Dakota earn a median of $58,370 a year ($28.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,570 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $61,960. North Dakota ranks 26th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.18 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,980, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Median | $58,370 | $28.06 |
| 75th percentile | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Average (mean) | $56,980 | $27.39 |
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 | $4,864.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,432.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,245 |
| Weekly | $1,122.50 |
| Hourly | $28.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,070 | $62.53 |
| Pharmacist | $142,040 | $68.29 |
| Physical Therapist | $85,330 | $41.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $454,550 | $218.53 |
| Dental Hygienist | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,450 | $64.16 |
| Chiropractor | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,230 | $39.06 |
| Veterinarian | $102,180 | $49.13 |
| Dentists, General | $220,660 | $106.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for recreational therapists in North Dakota is $58,370 a year, or $28.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in North Dakota earn at least $70,570 a year. The top 25% earn $63,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,100 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $48,530 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in North Dakota?
About 80 recreational therapists are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.