How much does a recreational therapist make in California?
$98,170a year
Median yearly pay for recreational therapists in California. That is $47.20 an hour or $8,181 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.20
- Vs. national median
- +58%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 48
- Jobs in the state
- 1,920
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $60,940Median: $98,170Highest 10%: $115,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,940 | $29.30 | |
| 25th | $79,820 | $38.38 | |
| Median | $98,170 | $47.20 | |
| 75th | $107,800 | $51.84 | |
| 90th | $115,400 | $55.47 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Stockton, CA | $115,300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,300 |
| Napa, CA | $107,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,400 |
| San Jose, CA | $101,700 |
| San Diego, CA | $98,530 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,160 |
| Riverside, CA | $98,120 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,790 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $91,740 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for recreational therapists.
| 1. California | $98,170 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| 3. New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| 4. Nevada | $78,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $47.20 ($98,170 a year).
Do recreational therapists make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $98,170 against $61,960 nationally, 58% more.
Where does California rank for recreational therapist pay?
California ranks 1 of 48 states.
Which city in California pays recreational therapists the most?
Stockton-Lodi, CA, with a median of $115,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.