California Median
$98,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+58% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#1 of 48
1,920 employed here
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in California?
Recreational Therapists in California take home a median of $98,170 annually — roughly $47.20 an hour — which runs 58% above the national median of $61,960.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $60,940 while the top 10% make $115,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,820 and $107,830 a year.
Recreational Therapist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,940 | $29.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $79,820 | $38.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $98,170 | $47.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $107,830 | $51.84 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,370 | $55.47 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 48 states and territories for Recreational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Recreational Therapist salary in other states
District of Columbia $95,640New Hampshire $82,280Nevada $78,730Washington $77,860Minnesota $76,360Colorado $66,580Oregon $66,530New York $65,520Hawaii $64,500Maryland $64,300Vermont $63,380Connecticut $63,240Nebraska $62,980Massachusetts $62,820Arizona $62,610Texas $62,490Michigan $61,700Virginia $61,270Ohio $60,770New Jersey $60,400Wisconsin $59,350Kentucky $59,240Pennsylvania $58,940Missouri $58,620North Dakota $58,370Florida $57,980Maine $57,560Alabama $57,360Utah $56,640Iowa $56,140Illinois $54,910Indiana $53,770Georgia $52,010Tennessee $51,910Louisiana $51,150Delaware $51,110Montana $51,110North Carolina $51,030Oklahoma $50,480Idaho $49,720New Mexico $49,210West Virginia $49,010South Carolina $48,880South Dakota $46,850Arkansas $42,670Kansas $40,010Mississippi $39,560
Working as a Recreational Therapist in California
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Recreational Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($98,170) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in California?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in California is $98,170 per year, or about $47.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,940 at the entry level to $115,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Recreational Therapists about 58% more than the national median of $61,960. California ranks 1st out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $98,170 a year. About 1,920 Recreational Therapists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Recreational Therapist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.