📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Recreational Therapist Salary in Washington (2026)

Washington · 25.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$64,762
per year
Median
$63,012
per year
Hourly
$31.14
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$45,509
25th Percentile — Junior$55,347
50th Percentile — Median$63,012
75th Percentile — Senior$77,482
90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,859
💡 Top-earning Recreational Therapists in Washington make up to $84,859 per year. The job market in Washington is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$55.9k
2021
$57.5k
2022
$59.3k
2023
$61.0k
2024
$62.9k
2025
$64.8k
2026
📈 Recreational Therapist salaries in Washington have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong presence in Washington's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Recreational Therapist Salary by City in Washington
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Seattle $89,372 +38.0% Medium
Spokane $64,762 +0.0% Medium
Tacoma $77,714 +20.0% Medium
🔍
Recreational Therapist Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation

Washington is home to a very strong job market for Recreational Therapists. The state's key industries — Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $64,762 per year, Washington's Recreational Therapist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Washington (index: 1.25) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Washington can expect to earn $45,509–$55,347, while experienced Recreational Therapists can command $77,482–$84,859.

Looking ahead, the Recreational Therapist profession in Washington is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology 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 Washington is $64,762 per year in 2026, which is 25.0% above the national average of $51,810.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Recreational Therapists the highest wages in Washington due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Washington has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Recreational Therapist employment.
  • At $64,762/year, Washington Recreational Therapist salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average of $51,810/year.