Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Recreational Therapist Most recreational therapists need a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or a related field. Recreational therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may require or prefer therapists to be certified.
Education
Recreational therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field, such as recreational therapy, or in recreation and fitness. Recreational therapy programs include courses in physiology, human anatomy, and psychology. Bachelor’s degree programs usually include an internship.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Employers may require or prefer recreational therapists to be certified. Candidates may qualify for certification in more than one way. For example, one option requires a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy, completing a supervised internship, and passing an exam. Another option also requires passing an exam but allows candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated subject to qualify with a combination of education and work experience. In order to maintain certification, therapists must either pass an exam or complete work experience and continuing education requirements after a specified number of years. Therapists also may earn certificates from other organizations to show proficiency in specific therapy techniques, such as aquatic therapy or aromatherapy. Some employers prefer to hire recreational therapists who have basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. A small number of states require recreational therapists to be licensed or certified. For specific requirements, contact a state’s licensing board.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings for recreational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Demand for recreational therapists is expected to increase in some industries. For example, psychiatric facilities use recreational therapy as a key component of treatment for people struggling with mental illness or addiction. Recreational therapists will be needed to help these patients regain their physical and mental health and to support them in their recovery. In addition, as large numbers of the U.S. population move into older age groups, more people will need recreational therapists to help them maintain and improve their functional abilities. Therapists also will be needed to help healthy seniors remain social, active, and independent in their communities as they age. However, funding challenges around the provision of recreational therapy services in some settings, such as nursing homes, may dampen demand for the occupation. Recreational Therapists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners 9% Recreational therapists 5% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Recreational Therapists Do
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs to help maintain or improve patients’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. These therapists use a variety of techniques, including art expression; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings.
Duties
Recreational therapists typically do the following:
- Assess patients’ needs through observation, medical records, tests, and discussions with other healthcare workers and patients and their families
- Develop and implement treatment plans that meet patients’ goals and interests
- Engage patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games, and community outings
- Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent
- Help patients to reduce and cope with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Document and analyze a patient’s progress to ensure that their goals are met and to modify treatment as needed
Recreational therapists use recreation-based medical treatment to help people reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic physical and mental abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively.
Recreational therapists are trained to use interventions to help patients of all ages. For example, they may help people with physical disabilities by teaching them adaptive sports. Therapists also may inform people about how to use community resources and participate in recreational activities.
These therapists also help people improve their mental health. They may provide interventions to help patients develop social and coping skills for managing their depression or anxiety.
Therapists may work with physicians or surgeons, registered nurses, psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, teachers, or occupational therapists. Recreational therapists are different from recreation workers, who organize recreational activities primarily for enjoyment.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Recreational therapists held about 15,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of recreational therapists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 42% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 21 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 20 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 7 |
| Social assistance | 5 |
Recreational therapists work in an office setting for planning or other administrative activities, such as patient assessment, but they also may travel when working with patients. Therapy may be provided in a clinical or community setting. For example, therapists may take their patients to recreation centers or parks for sports and other activities.
Some therapists spend a lot of time standing when actively working with patients. They also may need to physically assist patients or lift heavy objects, such as wheelchairs.
Injuries and Illnesses
Recreational therapists have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may occur due incidents such as overexertion and exposure to diseases, viruses, or harmful substances. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as using proper exercise form and adhering to personal hygiene guidelines in shared environments.
Work Schedules
Most recreational therapists work full time. Some recreational therapists work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of their patients.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Recreational therapists need to give clear instructions during activities or for healthy coping techniques. They also must write clearly in documenting patient progress. Compassion. Recreational therapists may deal with people who are in pain, so they should be empathetic when providing support to patients and their families. Leadership skills. Recreational therapists must be engaging and able to motivate patients to participate in a variety of therapeutic activities. Listening skills. Recreational therapists must pay attention to patients’ concerns in order to determine an appropriate course of treatment. Patience. Recreational therapists may work with patients who require more time and special attention than do others. Resourcefulness. Recreational therapists must be both creative and flexible when customizing treatment plans and adapting activities or programs to meet patients' needs.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about recreational therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.