Recreational Therapist salary in Wichita, KS
Recreational Therapists in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $36,780 a year ($17.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,600 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 8% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $40,010. There are 0.47 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $31,830 | $15.30 |
| Median | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| 75th percentile | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Average (mean) | $40,900 | $19.67 |
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 | $3,065 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,532.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,414.62 |
| Weekly | $707.31 |
| Hourly | $17.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $45,270 | 210 |
| Topeka, KS | $42,180 | 80 |
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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Physicians, All Other | $151,470 | $72.82 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,100 | $55.82 |
| Pharmacist | $142,400 | $68.46 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,400 | $46.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,390 | $37.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,000 | $47.60 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Physician Assistant | $121,640 | $58.48 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $205,540 | $98.82 |
| Veterinarian | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,220 | $31.35 |
| Optometrist | $123,940 | $59.59 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, KS
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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Wichita, KS metro area is $36,780 a year, or $17.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $57,600 a year. The top 25% earn $46,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,670 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $31,830 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Wichita, KS?
About 140 recreational therapists are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.