Recreational Therapist salary in Syracuse, NY
Recreational Therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $63,370 a year ($30.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,410 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 3% lower than the New York statewide median of $65,520. There are 0.28 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| 25th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Median | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| 75th percentile | $67,220 | $32.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Average (mean) | $66,680 | $32.06 |
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 | $5,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,640.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,437.31 |
| Weekly | $1,218.65 |
| Hourly | $30.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,370 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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $61,830 | 30 |
| Rochester, NY | $58,980 | 90 |
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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,010 | $63.47 |
| Pharmacist | $149,510 | $71.88 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,080 | $44.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,000 | $63.94 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $286,920 | $137.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,120 | $40.93 |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $269,270 | $129.46 |
| Dentists, General | $191,830 | $92.23 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $181,980 | $87.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,460 | $37.72 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $63,370 a year, or $30.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $83,410 a year. The top 25% earn $67,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,910 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $58,430 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Syracuse, NY?
About 80 recreational therapists are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.