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.
Recreational therapists typically do the following:
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.
Recreational therapists held about 17,600 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of recreational therapists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 40% |
| Government | 18 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 14 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 8 |
| Social assistance | 7 |
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.
Most recreational therapists work full time. Some recreational therapists work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of their patients.
Recreational therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may require or prefer therapists to be certified.
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.
Employers may require or prefer recreational therapists to be certified. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) offers the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. 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.
The NCTRC also offers certification in specialization area designations, including adaptive sports and recreation, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities. Therapists also may earn certificates from other organizations to show proficiency in specific therapy techniques, such as aquatic therapy or aromatherapy.
A small number of states require recreational therapists to be licensed or certified. For specific requirements, contact a state’s licensing board.
Some employers prefer to hire recreational therapists who have basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.
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.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for recreational therapists was $47,940 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,610.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for recreational therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Government | $64,780 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 54,370 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 50,970 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 43,570 |
| Social assistance | 37,660 |
Most recreational therapists work full time. Some recreational therapists work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of their patients.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 1,500 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.
As large numbers of the U.S. population move into older age groups, more people will need recreational therapists to help treat age-related injuries and illnesses. Older people are more likely than younger people to experience Alzheimer’s disease, a stroke, or mobility-related injuries and to benefit from treating these conditions with recreational therapy. Therapists also will be needed to help healthy seniors remain social, active, and independent in their communities as they age.
In addition, the number of people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, is growing. Recreational therapists will be needed to help patients maintain their mobility, learn how to manage their conditions, and adjust recreational activities to accommodate physical limitations. Therapists also will be needed to plan and lead programs designed to maintain overall wellness through participation in activities such as camps, day trips, and sports.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Recreational therapists |
29-1125 | 17,600 | 18,200 | 4 | 600 | Get data | |
For more information on careers and academic programs in recreational therapy, visit
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
For more information about certification, visit
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
For a career video on recreational therapists, visit