Recreational Therapists pay in California
In California, the median pay for recreational therapists is $47.20 an hour ($98,170 a year). About 1,920 people work in this job there.
That is 58% higher than the U.S. median ($61,960). California ranks 1st of 48 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for recreational therapists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $29.30 | $60,940 |
| 25% of workers | $38.38 | $79,820 |
| Half of workers (median) | $47.20 | $98,170 |
| 75% of workers | $51.84 | $107,830 |
| 90% of workers | $55.47 | $115,370 |
Recreational Therapists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi | $115,330 | 50 |
| Vallejo | $115,330 | 50 |
| Napa | $107,810 | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $102,420 | 190 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $101,670 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $98,530 | 90 |
| Fresno | $98,160 | 150 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $98,120 | 340 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $91,790 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $91,740 | 380 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for recreational therapists
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +4.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $49,140 |
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,480 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.