Recreational Therapist Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$60,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#20 of 48
310 employed here

How much does a Recreational Therapist make in Ohio?

A Recreational Therapist working in Ohio earns a median salary of $60,770 per year, or about $29.22 per hour. That is 2% below the national median of $61,960 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $46,440 while the top 10% make $84,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,110 and $72,840 a year.

Recreational Therapist salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,440$22.33
25th percentile (early career)$50,110$24.09
50th percentile (median)$60,770$29.22
75th percentile (experienced)$72,840$35.02
90th percentile (top earners)$84,910$40.82

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 20th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($60,770) 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 Ohio?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in Ohio is $60,770 per year, or about $29.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,440 at the entry level to $84,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Recreational Therapists about 2% less than the national median of $61,960. Ohio ranks 20th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,770 a year. About 310 Recreational Therapists are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.