Recreational Therapist salary in Rochester, NY
Recreational Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $58,980 a year ($28.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,860 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 10% lower than the New York statewide median of $65,520. There are 0.18 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| 25th percentile | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| Median | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| 75th percentile | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,860 | $41.76 |
| Average (mean) | $61,630 | $29.63 |
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 | $4,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,457.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,268.46 |
| Weekly | $1,134.23 |
| Hourly | $28.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $66,050 | 1,090 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $65,080 | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,370 | 80 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $61,830 | 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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $58,980 a year, or $28.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $86,860 a year. The top 25% earn $66,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,020 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,760 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Rochester, NY?
About 90 recreational therapists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.