Recreational Therapist salary in North Carolina
What recreational therapists earn in North Carolina and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$51,030$24.53 per hour
vs U.S.−18%U.S. median $61,960
Middle half earn$45,950 – $63,860Top 10%: $78,340+
Jobs4400.93× the U.S. concentration
Recreational Therapist pay in North Carolina cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,560 | $28.64 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,170 | $25.08 | 90 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $53,100 | $25.53 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $51,780 | $24.90 | 40 |
| Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $46,580 | $22.40 | 40 |
| Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $48,920 | $23.52 | 30 |
Hospitals and jobs in North Carolina
Recreational Therapist pay in similar states
Georgia · $52,010 Tennessee · $51,910 Louisiana · $51,150 Delaware · $51,110 Montana · $51,110 Oklahoma · $50,480
Other healthcare salaries in North Carolina
Registered Nurses · $84,350 Nursing Assistants · $38,460 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $31,240 Medical Assistants · $45,140 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $63,270 Pharmacy Technicians · $44,530 Physicians, All Other · $260,330 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $60,650 Dental Assistants · $50,380 Pharmacists · $138,860 Nurse Practitioners · $128,990 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians · $74,450
Questions
How much does a recreational therapist make in North Carolina?
Recreational Therapists in North Carolina earned a median of $51,030 a year ($24.53 an hour) in May 2025, 18% less than the national median of $61,960. The middle half earned $45,950 to $63,860.
Where in North Carolina do recreational therapists earn the most?
Among areas in North Carolina, pay was highest in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC at $59,560.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.