Washington Median
$77,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $61,960
State Rank
#5 of 48
240 employed here
How much does a Recreational Therapist make in Washington?
Recreational Therapists in Washington take home a median of $77,860 annually — roughly $37.43 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $61,960.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $61,070 while the top 10% make $108,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,940 and $92,930 a year.
Recreational Therapist salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,070 | $29.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,940 | $31.70 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,860 | $37.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $92,930 | $44.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,200 | $52.02 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 5th 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 $78,730Minnesota $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($77,860) 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 Washington?
The median Recreational Therapist salary in Washington is $77,860 per year, or about $37.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,070 at the entry level to $108,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Recreational Therapists about 26% more than the national median of $61,960. Washington ranks 5th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Recreational Therapists?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,860 a year. About 240 Recreational Therapists are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.