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Occupation · SOC 29-1125

Recreational Therapists

There are 14,930 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $61,960 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

HealthcareTypical education: Bachelor's degree
14,930
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$61,960
Median pay a year
Middle half: $50,240–$79,930
1,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.8%
14
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 85 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $66,050 · LCA filings 31,090$66,0503
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $91,740 · LCA filings 0380$91,7400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $71,050 · LCA filings 0380$71,0500
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $58,970 · LCA filings 0360$58,9700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $54,460 · LCA filings 1340$54,4601
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVMedian pay $78,730 · LCA filings 0340$78,7300
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $98,120 · LCA filings 1340$98,1201
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $60,640 · LCA filings 0260$60,6400
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $62,600 · LCA filings 0230$62,6000
Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $45,270 · LCA filings 0210$45,2700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Stockton–Lodi, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$115,330500
Vallejo, CAEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$115,330500
Napa, CAEmployment 150 · LCA filings 0$107,8101500
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$102,4201900
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 2$101,670602

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 1,090321,090
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 602160
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 34011340
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 34011340
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 13011130

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $61,776 · Level III $69,950 · Level IV $78,125$53,602$61,776$69,950$78,125
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $78,146 · Level III $89,690 · Level IV $101,213$66,622$78,146$89,690$101,213
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $63,253 · Level III $72,904 · Level IV $82,534$53,622$63,253$72,904$82,534
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $53,810 · Level III $61,443 · Level IV $69,077$46,176$53,810$61,443$69,077
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $51,126 · Level III $58,739 · Level IV $66,331$43,534$51,126$58,739$66,331
Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVLevel II $60,486 · Level III $72,218 · Level IV $83,949$48,755$60,486$72,218$83,949
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $70,179 · Level III $84,469 · Level IV $98,758$55,890$70,179$84,469$98,758
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $54,683 · Level III $64,813 · Level IV $74,963$44,533$54,683$64,813$74,963
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $53,518 · Level III $61,298 · Level IV $69,077$45,739$53,518$61,298$69,077
Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $41,787 · Level III $49,026 · Level IV $56,285$34,528$41,787$49,026$56,285
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $89,960 · Level III $99,008 · Level IV $108,077$80,891$89,960$99,008$108,077
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $59,322 · Level III $68,286 · Level IV $77,251$50,357$59,322$68,286$77,251

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.23OPT · up to 12 months566OPT · up to 12 months
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesCIP 31.01OPT · up to 12 months65OPT · up to 12 months

See Recreational Therapists in every metro area

All 85 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology