How much does a recreational therapist make in Chicago?
$54,460a year
Median yearly pay for recreational therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $26.18 an hour or $4,538 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.18
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 62 of 84
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,560Median: $54,460Highest 10%: $85,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,560 | $19.50 | |
| 25th | $49,700 | $23.89 | |
| Median | $54,460 | $26.18 | |
| 75th | $63,450 | $30.50 | |
| 90th | $85,400 | $41.06 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for recreational therapists.
| St. Louis, MO | $62,810 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Radiologist | $479,900 |
| Cardiologist | $475,600 |
| Surgeon | $462,600 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $446,500 |
| Dermatologist | $435,800 |
| Physician | $336,700 |
| Ophthalmologist | $284,600 |
| Dentist | $269,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,900 |
| Psychiatrist | $258,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $26.18 ($54,460 a year).
Do recreational therapists make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $54,460 against $61,960 nationally, 12% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $54,910, so Chicago pays 1% less.
Where does Chicago rank for recreational therapist pay?
62 of 84 metro areas with data.
How much does a recreational therapist make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,560 or less a year; the top 10% make $85,400 or more.
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.