📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Recreational Therapist Salary in Florida (2026)

Florida · 2.0% below national average · Medium Demand

Average
$50,774
per year
Median
$49,402
per year
Hourly
$24.41
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,679
25th Percentile — Junior$43,392
50th Percentile — Median$49,402
75th Percentile — Senior$60,745
90th Percentile — Top Earners$66,529
💡 Top-earning Recreational Therapists in Florida make up to $66,529 per year. The job market in Florida is rated strong, with key industries including Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$43.8k
2021
$45.1k
2022
$46.5k
2023
$47.9k
2024
$49.3k
2025
$50.8k
2026
📈 Recreational Therapist salaries in Florida have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in Florida's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Recreational Therapist Salary by City in Florida
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Jacksonville $47,728 -6.0% Medium
Miami $56,867 +12.0% Medium
Tampa $50,266 -1.0% Medium
Orlando $50,774 +0.0% Medium
Hialeah $53,820 +6.0% Medium
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Recreational Therapist Job Market in Florida
Key factors affecting compensation

Florida is home to a strong job market for Recreational Therapists. The state's key industries — Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $50,774 per year, Florida's Recreational Therapist salaries are 2.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Florida (index: 0.98) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Florida can expect to earn $35,679–$43,392, while experienced Recreational Therapists can command $60,745–$66,529.

Looking ahead, the Recreational Therapist profession in Florida is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Tourism continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Recreational Therapist salary in Florida is $50,774 per year in 2026, which is 2.0% below the national average of $51,810.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Recreational Therapists the highest wages in Florida due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Florida has a strong job market with major industries in Tourism, Healthcare, Real Estate. This makes it one of the better states for Recreational Therapist employment.
  • At $50,774/year, Florida Recreational Therapist salaries are 2.0% lower than the national average of $51,810/year.