New York Median
$65,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#9 of 48
1,230 employed here
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in New York?
Recreational Therapists in New York take home a median of $65,520 annually — roughly $31.50 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $61,960.
Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $49,940 while the top 10% make $91,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,980 and $78,180 a year.
Recreational Therapist salary range in New York
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,940 | $24.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,980 | $27.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,520 | $31.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,180 | $37.59 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,370 | $43.93 |
|
How New York compares
New York ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories for Recreational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Recreational Therapist salary in other states
California $98,170District of Columbia $95,640New Hampshire $82,280Nevada $78,730Washington $77,860Minnesota $76,360Colorado $66,580Oregon $66,530Hawaii $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 New York
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 New York pay ($65,520) 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 New York?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in New York is $65,520 per year, or about $31.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,940 at the entry level to $91,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Recreational Therapists about 6% more than the national median of $61,960. New York ranks 9th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,520 a year. About 1,230 Recreational Therapists are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.