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Career overview · SOC 29-1125

Recreational Therapists

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Also called: Activities Coordinator · Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) · General Activities Therapist · Recreation Therapist · Recreational Therapist · Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator

Median pay (national)
$60,280
$39,520–$96,600 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
15,060
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.3%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for recreational therapists shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $96,600 versus $39,520 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $60,280 leaves roughly 60% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $96,530, +60% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $27,040 — a 257% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  • Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
  • Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
  • Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
  • Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
  • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
  • Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
  • Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
  • Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
  • Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Office software
  • Avid Technology Sibelius
  • Hyperscore
  • MakeMusic Finale
  • Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software
  • Patient electronic medical record EMR software
  • Speech recognition software
  • Steinberg Cubase Pro
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Knowledge areas

  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Administration and Management
  • Medicine and Dentistry