Healthcare
Recreational Therapists
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.
Median salary
$60,280
Typical range
$40k – $97k
Job outlook
+3% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Recreational Therapists
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Recreational Therapists
Entry / Junior
$39,520
~2 yrs to advance
Recreational Therapists
Established
$60,280
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Recreational Therapists
Senior
$78,440
Key skills
A typical day
- •Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- •Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- •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.
- •Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- •Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Healthcare
Explore all- Johns Hopkins University7% admit · $93,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- Duke University6% admit · $105,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.