📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Recreational Therapist Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$56,991
per year
Median
$55,451
per year
Hourly
$27.4
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$40,048
25th Percentile — Junior$48,705
50th Percentile — Median$55,451
75th Percentile — Senior$68,184
90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,675
💡 Top-earning Recreational Therapists in Virginia make up to $74,675 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$49.2k
2021
$50.6k
2022
$52.2k
2023
$53.7k
2024
$55.3k
2025
$57.0k
2026
📈 Recreational Therapist salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Recreational Therapist Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $59,841 +5.0% Medium
Richmond $58,131 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Recreational Therapist Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Recreational Therapists. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $56,991 per year, Virginia's Recreational Therapist salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $40,048–$48,705, while experienced Recreational Therapists can command $68,184–$74,675.

Looking ahead, the Recreational Therapist profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government 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 Virginia is $56,991 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $51,810.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Recreational Therapists the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Recreational Therapist employment.
  • At $56,991/year, Virginia Recreational Therapist salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $51,810/year.