Recreational Therapist Salary in Kansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Recreational Therapists in Kansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kansas Median
$40,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-35% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#47 of 48
710 employed here

How much does a Recreational Therapist make in Kansas?

Recreational Therapists in Kansas take home a median of $40,010 annually — roughly $19.24 an hour — which runs 35% below the national median of $61,960.

Within Kansas, entry-level pay starts around $29,720 while the top 10% make $60,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,880 and $50,370 a year.

Recreational Therapist salary range in Kansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,720$14.29
25th percentile (early career)$34,880$16.77
50th percentile (median)$40,010$19.24
75th percentile (experienced)$50,370$24.22
90th percentile (top earners)$60,720$29.19

How Kansas compares

Kansas ranks 47th out of 48 states and territories for Recreational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$98,170
2District of Columbia$95,640
3New Hampshire$82,280
4Nevada$78,730
5Washington$77,860

Working as a Recreational Therapist in Kansas

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 Kansas pay ($40,010) 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 Kansas?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in Kansas is $40,010 per year, or about $19.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,720 at the entry level to $60,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kansas pay compare to the national average?
Kansas pays Recreational Therapists about 35% less than the national median of $61,960. Kansas ranks 47th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kansas a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,010 a year. About 710 Recreational Therapists are employed in Kansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Kansas include Anesthesiologist ($437,030), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($311,630), Psychiatrist ($278,100), 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.