Recreational Therapist salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Recreational Therapists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $60,550 a year ($29.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $58,940. There are 0.13 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| 25th percentile | $54,110 | $26.02 |
| Median | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| 75th percentile | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Average (mean) | $63,280 | $30.43 |
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 | $5,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.85 |
| Weekly | $1,164.42 |
| Hourly | $29.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,250 | 100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,970 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $52,820 | 30 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $47,540 | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $39,260 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,650 | $39.73 |
| Physicians, All Other | $232,880 | $111.96 |
| Pharmacist | $130,950 | $62.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,820 | $60.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $70,730 | $34.00 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,370 | $44.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Dentists, General | $195,480 | $93.98 |
| Veterinarian | $126,960 | $61.04 |
| Optometrist | $133,010 | $63.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $60,550 a year, or $29.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $81,330 a year. The top 25% earn $78,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,820 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $54,110 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 30 recreational therapists are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.