How much does a recreational therapist make in San Diego?
$98,530a year
Median yearly pay for recreational therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $47.37 an hour or $8,211 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.37
- Vs. national median
- +59%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 84
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $62,660Median: $98,530Highest 10%: $115,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,660 | $30.13 | |
| 25th | $81,990 | $39.42 | |
| Median | $98,530 | $47.37 | |
| 75th | $114,700 | $55.16 | |
| 90th | $115,400 | $55.47 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for recreational therapists.
| Stockton, CA | $115,300 |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,300 |
| Napa, CA | $107,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,400 |
| San Jose, CA | $101,700 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,160 |
| Riverside, CA | $98,120 |
| Sacramento, CA | $91,790 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $91,740 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cardiologist | $493,700 |
| Psychiatrist | $335,600 |
| Physician | $333,300 |
| Physician | $323,100 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,500 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $293,400 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $282,200 |
| Pediatrician | $262,700 |
| Podiatrist | $235,400 |
| Dermatologist | $233,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $47.37 ($98,530 a year).
Do recreational therapists make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $98,530 against $61,960 nationally, 59% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $98,170, so San Diego pays 0% more.
Where does San Diego rank for recreational therapist pay?
6 of 84 metro areas with data.
How much does a recreational therapist make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $62,660 or less a year; the top 10% make $115,400 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.