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Recreational Therapists

General Information

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit40.21%
  2. Private, not for profit31.92%
  3. State and local government18.00%
  4. Federal government5.23%
  5. Self-employed4.64%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Health Science

Job Outlook

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+4%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,300 openings for recreational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$51,330

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$24,200
$83,740
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 91%
  • Post baccalaureate 5%
  • Master's degree 2%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Social — You have an interest in helping, teaching, advising, assisting or providing service to others.
  • Artistic — You have an interest in creating visual artwork, performances, written works, food or music.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Psychology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • English Language

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.