Recreational Therapist salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A recreational therapist earns a median of $61,960 a year ($29.79 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $67,630. About 14,930 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $61,960
- Gross pay
- $2,383.08
- Federal income tax
- −$202.12
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$147.75
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$34.55
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,998.65
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $61,960
- Federal
- $5,255
- FICA
- $4,740
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $51,965
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Athletic Trainer: $62,520
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician: $62,930
- Paramedic: $60,600
- LPN: $64,400
- Exercise Physiologist: $59,460
- Surgical Tech: $64,650
- Hearing Aid Specialist: $65,160
- Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Worker: $65,790
BLS occupation: Recreational Therapists. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 29-1125). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $29.79; the average is $32.52.
What is the salary range for a recreational therapist?
The bottom 10% earn under $40,990 and the top 10% earn over $100,420 a year.
How much is $61,960 after taxes?
About $51,965 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $49,402 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.