Recreational therapists use activities and programs to help people improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. You'll work in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. The role requires a bachelor's degree and a genuine interest in supporting others.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Recreational therapists design and lead activities like games, arts, music, and outdoor programs to help clients heal and build confidence. You'll work with people recovering from illness or injury, managing mental health conditions, or facing other life challenges. Your role involves assessing each person's needs, planning tailored programs, communicating with supervisors and team members, and documenting progress. You'll think creatively to adapt activities for different abilities and build strong relationships with the people you serve.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Recreational Therapists earn a median of $61,960 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 1,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or a related field. Your coursework will cover psychology, counseling approaches, and human services. During your studies, you'll gain hands-on experience through internships and supervised practice in clinical or community settings. The preparation is considerable, so expect to develop deep knowledge of therapy methods, client assessment, and program design. Many employers also require additional certification or credentials after graduation.
Most paths to this career start with a four-year degree, so timing and school choice matter. If you're exploring whether recreational therapy fits your interests and goals, Pathly can map the recreational therapist path that fits you to map out your next steps with your counselor.
Many recreational therapists must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to work that centers on people and relationships. You think creatively about how to help others grow, and you communicate well one-on-one and in groups.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).