How much do recreational therapists make in Pennsylvania?
What recreational therapists earn in Pennsylvania and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country (May 2025 BLS data).
Switch state
Median pay in Pennsylvania
$58,940
a year, or $28.34 an hour. That is 5% less than the national median of $61,960.
The middle half of recreational therapists in Pennsylvania earn $47,820 to $65,870.
Pay range in Pennsylvania
- Bottom 10% earn under
- $39,690
- 25th percentile
- $47,820
- Median
- $58,940
- 75th percentile
- $65,870
- Top 10% earn over
- $80,340
Rank among states
#23 of 47
Pennsylvania pays recreational therapists more than 24 of the other 46 states. Highest: California ($98,170).
Jobs in Pennsylvania
720
0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the state, 1.24× the U.S. concentration.
Recreational Therapist pay in Pennsylvania cities
Metro and rural (nonmetropolitan) areas as BLS defines them, including metro areas that cross into neighboring states.. Click a column to sort.
| Area | Pay a year | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $28.35 | 360 | |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $29.45 | 100 | |
| Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $30.44 | 60 | |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $18.88 | 40 | |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $22.86 | 30 | |
| Lancaster, PA | $25.39 | 30 | |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $29.11 | 30 | |
| Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $30.67 | 30 |
States with similar recreational therapist pay
Wisconsin
$59,350
median a year · +1% vs Pennsylvania
Kentucky
$59,240
median a year · +1% vs Pennsylvania
Missouri
$58,620
median a year · −1% vs Pennsylvania
North Dakota
$58,370
median a year · −1% vs Pennsylvania
Florida
$57,980
median a year · −2% vs Pennsylvania
Maine
$57,560
median a year · −2% vs Pennsylvania
Other healthcare salaries in Pennsylvania
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
$29,420
median a year · 257,370 jobs
Registered Nurses
$96,430
median a year · 146,520 jobs
Nursing Assistants
$44,590
median a year · 67,740 jobs
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$63,940
median a year · 38,260 jobs
Physicians, All Other
$217,310
median a year · 23,800 jobs
Medical Assistants
$43,920
median a year · 23,050 jobs
Pharmacy Technicians
$40,040
median a year · 18,880 jobs
Pharmacists
$138,160
median a year · 14,090 jobs
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
$46,720
median a year · 13,200 jobs
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
$51,680
median a year · 13,020 jobs
Dental Assistants
$47,930
median a year · 12,080 jobs
Physical Therapists
$101,380
median a year · 11,710 jobs
Questions about recreational therapist pay in Pennsylvania
How much does a recreational therapist make in Pennsylvania?
Recreational Therapists in Pennsylvania earned a median of $58,940 a year ($28.34 an hour) in May 2025, 5% less than the national median of $61,960. The middle half earned $47,820 to $65,870.
Where in Pennsylvania do recreational therapists earn the most?
Among areas in Pennsylvania, pay was highest in Pittsburgh, PA at $61,250.
How does Pennsylvania rank for recreational therapist pay?
Pennsylvania ranks #23 of 47 states for recreational therapists pay. California pays the most, at $98,170 a year. Pay figures don't account for differences in cost of living.
How many recreational therapists work in Pennsylvania?
About 720 people worked as recreational therapists in Pennsylvania in May 2025, or 0.12 of every 1,000 jobs in the state.
Pennsylvania hospitals
Pennsylvania hospital star ratings
Pennsylvania hospital finances
Pennsylvania shortage areas
Hospitals per capita
All healthcare salaries
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Median pay is the middle wage; where BLS publishes no median, the average (mean) is shown, marked "(avg)". Values marked "+" are above the most BLS reports exactly. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.