Recreational therapists
SOC Code: 29-1125Also known as:
Activities Coordinator, Activities Therapist, Activity Therapist, Adventure Therapist, Certified Recreational Therapist
Median Annual Salary
$60,280
+3.3% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
16K
Current Jobs
What Recreational therapists Do
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.
💰 Salary
$60,280
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.3%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
16,100
Projected Employment (2034)
16,600
Related Careers
Occupational therapists
$98,340 •
+13.8% growth
Psychiatric technicians
$42,590 •
+20.0% growth
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340 •
+19.2% growth
Occupational therapy aides
$37,370 •
+2.5% growth
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510 •
+22.0% growth
Top Skills Required
Service Orientation
Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Recreational therapists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a recreational therapists:
Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy
722 degrees awarded •
52 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Recreational therapists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become recreational therapists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do recreational therapists make?
The median annual salary for recreational therapists is $60,280.
What education do recreational therapists need?
Most recreational therapists positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy.
Is becoming recreational therapists a good career choice?
Recreational therapists is projected to see +3.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for recreational therapists?
Top colleges for aspiring recreational therapists include
Grand Valley State University, Temple University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, CUNY Lehman College, University of North Carolina Wilmington.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to recreational therapists?
Recreational therapists may also be known as: Activities Coordinator, Activities Therapist, Activity Therapist, Adventure Therapist, Certified Recreational Therapist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Creative Arts Therapist, Dance Therapist, Drama Therapist, Ecotherapist, General Activities Therapist, Horticultural Therapist, Music Rehabilitation Therapist, Recreation Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator, Recreational Therapy Technician, Rehabilitation Therapist, Therapeutic Mentor, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.