Recreational Therapists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,270 a year or less, while the top 10% make $98,140 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Washington earn between $59,350 and $84,470.
- $50K10th
- $59K25th
- $71KMedian
- $84K75th
- $98K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $72,990 | $6,082 | $35.09 |
| Median | $71,050 | $5,921 | $34.16 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,350 | $4,946 | $28.53 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $84,470 | $7,039 | $40.61 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Washington earn 17% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($88,060) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($67,630). At the median the gap is +15% against the U.S. median of $61,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $72,990 | $71,050 | $50,270 | $98,140 | 380 |
| Washington, D.C. | $88,060 | $95,640 | $50,840 | $118,340 | 50 |
| United States | $67,630 | $61,960 | $40,990 | $100,420 | 14,930 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Recreational Therapists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $72,990, a single filer in Washington takes home about $56,881 a year, or $4,740 a month and $2,188 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $57,725 | $4,810 |
| Working in MD | $56,923 | $4,744 |
| Working in DC | $56,881 | $4,740 |
| Working in VA | $56,796 | $4,733 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $72,990 buys what about $67,035 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 8.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$62,040
- Richmond, VA$66,440
- Harrisburg, PA$45,340
- Lancaster, PA$53,960
- Philadelphia, PA$61,520
- Virginia Beach, VA$63,000
Highest-paying cities for recreational therapists
Napa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,290).
- Napa, CA$109,290
- Stockton, CA$107,870
- San Francisco, CA$103,380
- Vallejo, CA$103,260
- San Jose, CA$99,100
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Recreational Therapists salary in Washington: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Washington?
$35.09 an hour on average, and $34.16 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,270 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,350, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Washington?
About $56,881 a year ($4,740 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $72,990.
Do recreational therapists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($67,630).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1125; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.27, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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