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Recreational Therapists

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $61,960 Median per year · $29.79/hr Most earn $40,990–$100,420

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
  • Develop discharge plans for patients.
  • Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
  • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
  • Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  • Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 1,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals22.3%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals16.0%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals11.1%
  • Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)8.4%
  • Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly7.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Recreational therapy usually requires a bachelor's degree, so most people don't start right out of high school. People typically spend about four years in college, then another 6 months to 1 year gaining hands-on experience before working as a Recreational Therapist.

  1. High school diploma with science and social studies classes

    4 years

    Build a strong academic base in biology, psychology, and communication so you're ready for a college program in recreation therapy or a related field.

  2. Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy or a related field

    4 years

    Learn how to assess patients, plan activity programs, and understand medical conditions, which is the education most employers look for.

  3. Recreation Aide or Activities Assistant

    6 months to 1 year

    Work in a hospital, nursing home, or rehab center helping lead group activities under a therapist's direction, which builds the hands-on experience employers want.

  4. Recreational Therapist

    Ongoing career

    Plan, direct, and adjust recreation programs for patients, and recommend activities that fit each person's health needs.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Recreational Therapist

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility for training staff, coordinating care plans, and handling the program's day-to-day running.

  2. Recreational Therapy Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You oversee a team of therapists and aides, set department goals, and manage budgets and schedules for the whole program.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and psychology classesThese classes introduce you to how the body and mind work, which is the foundation for planning activities around patients' health.
  • Volunteer at a nursing home or hospitalSpending time with older adults or patients shows you whether you enjoy this kind of work and helps you build people skills.
  • Join a drama, sports, or art clubLeading or organizing activities with a group gives you practice planning and running the kinds of programs recreational therapists use.
  • Get a job as a camp counselor or youth activity helperWorking with groups of people and planning fun, safe activities builds the same skills used in therapeutic recreation.
  • Take a speech or communication classClear communication helps you explain activities to patients and work well with doctors, nurses, and families.

In college

  • Major in recreational therapy or a related fieldA recreational therapy major or a closely related program covers the assessment, planning, and medical topics this career needs.
  • Complete a supervised internship at a hospital or rehab centerHands-on work with real patients under a therapist's supervision is the experience that prepares you for your first job.
  • Take courses in psychology, anatomy, and disability studiesThese classes help you understand the conditions your future patients may have and how activities can support their recovery.
  • Get a campus or community job helping with activitiesWorking as a recreation assistant at a campus rec center or community program builds planning and group-leadership skills.
  • Join a student group focused on health or serviceClubs like pre-health or service organizations show that you care about helping others and give you leadership experience.

Tips for getting started

  • Look at job ads in your area for recreational therapists and read the requirements, so you know which degree, license, or certification employers ask for.
  • Volunteer at a nursing home, hospital, or community center to see daily life in this job and to start building experience with patients.
  • Ask a recreational therapist for a short informational interview to learn what the work is really like day to day.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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