Recreational Therapist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Recreational Therapists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $62,610 a year ($30.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,230 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $62,610. There are 0.05 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $67,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| 25th percentile | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Median | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| 75th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| Average (mean) | $67,560 | $32.48 |
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 | $5,217.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,608.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.08 |
| Weekly | $1,204.04 |
| Hourly | $30.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,610 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,830 | $48.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $136,270 | $65.51 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,270 | $144.84 |
| Pharmacist | $144,490 | $69.46 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,220 | $49.63 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,650 | $64.73 |
| Dentists, General | $194,180 | $93.36 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,040 | $47.14 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,760 | $38.34 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,060 | $50.51 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $341,680 | $164.27 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $259,320 | $124.67 |
| Veterinarian | $161,060 | $77.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $62,610 a year, or $30.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $90,230 a year. The top 25% earn $79,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,710 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $58,150 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 130 recreational therapists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.