Recreational Therapist salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Recreational Therapists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $51,780 a year ($24.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,070 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $51,030. There are 0.14 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 25th percentile | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Median | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| 75th percentile | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Average (mean) | $56,510 | $27.17 |
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 | $4,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,157.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,991.54 |
| Weekly | $995.77 |
| Hourly | $24.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,560 | 120 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $53,100 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,170 | 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Physicians, All Other | $74,700 | $35.92 |
| Pharmacist | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,840 | $62.90 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,730 | $62.85 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,930 | $46.12 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,140 | $103.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,890 | $41.29 |
| Occupational Therapist | $93,780 | $45.09 |
| Dentists, General | $168,700 | $81.11 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,910 | $30.72 |
| Veterinarian | $128,530 | $61.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, NC
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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $51,780 a year, or $24.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $65,070 a year. The top 25% earn $65,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,810 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $48,490 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 40 recreational therapists are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.