Recreational Therapist salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Recreational Therapists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $58,630 a year ($28.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 7% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $62,980. There are 0.14 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| 25th percentile | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Median | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| 75th percentile | $77,720 | $37.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Average (mean) | $62,490 | $30.05 |
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 | $4,885.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,442.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,255 |
| Weekly | $1,127.50 |
| Hourly | $28.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Nebraska 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $62,980 | 50 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,000 | 50 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,140 | 40 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,600 | $40.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,760 | $64.31 |
| Pharmacist | $141,830 | $68.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,630 | $47.90 |
| Physicians, All Other | $290,460 | $139.65 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,650 | $45.03 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $185,110 | $89.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,130 | $64.49 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,650 | $39.74 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,170 | $45.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Dentists, General | $187,400 | $90.09 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $200,860 | $96.57 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,170 | $33.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $58,630 a year, or $28.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $78,380 a year. The top 25% earn $77,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,570 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $56,140 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 70 recreational therapists are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.