📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Recreational Therapist Salary in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey · 28.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$66,317
per year
Median
$64,525
per year
Hourly
$31.88
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$46,601
25th Percentile — Junior$56,675
50th Percentile — Median$64,525
75th Percentile — Senior$79,341
90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,895
💡 Top-earning Recreational Therapists in New Jersey make up to $86,895 per year. The job market in New Jersey is rated strong, with key industries including Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$57.2k
2021
$58.9k
2022
$60.7k
2023
$62.5k
2024
$64.4k
2025
$66.3k
2026
📈 Recreational Therapist salaries in New Jersey have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in New Jersey's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Recreational Therapist Salary by City in New Jersey
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Newark $80,907 +22.0% Medium
🔍
Recreational Therapist Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation

New Jersey is home to a strong job market for Recreational Therapists. The state's key industries — Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $66,317 per year, New Jersey's Recreational Therapist salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in New Jersey (index: 1.28) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in New Jersey can expect to earn $46,601–$56,675, while experienced Recreational Therapists can command $79,341–$86,895.

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

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Recreational Therapist salary in New Jersey is $66,317 per year in 2026, which is 28.0% above the national average of $51,810.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Recreational Therapists the highest wages in New Jersey due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • New Jersey has a strong job market with major industries in Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Recreational Therapist employment.
  • At $66,317/year, New Jersey Recreational Therapist salaries are 28.0% higher than the national average of $51,810/year.