Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 17,600 people employed as recreational therapists in the United States. The median annual salary is $47,940. Entry level employees earn approximately $31,710 per year and senior employees earn approximately $80,610 per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
• 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.
• Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
• Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
• Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
• Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
• Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
• Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
• Develop discharge plans for patients.

Career List