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Average Recreational Therapists Salary in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Recreational Therapists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $68,590. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $60,230, indicating a robust demand and higher compensation for these vital healthcare professionals in this region. The concentration of healthcare facilities and a larger patient population likely contribute to this elevated pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $68,590 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $90,920.
  • Outlook: The job market for Recreational Therapists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area appears stable and shows signs of healthy demand. With a local workforce of 1,110 professionals and a Location Quotient of 1.22, the region employs more Recreational Therapists relative to the national average. This suggests a slightly more concentrated and potentially active job market compared to other areas across the country.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$68,590

The average Recreational Therapists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earns+13.9%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$33

Weekly

$1,319

Monthly

$5,716

Recreational Therapists Salary Distribution in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Career progression for Recreational Therapists in New York-Newark-Jersey City typically correlates with increased earning potential. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower end of the salary spectrum, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and extensive experience can command significantly higher salaries, potentially reaching well into the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify opportunities for career advancement and salary growth.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience.10% (Entry)$48,750$23.4
Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures.25% (Junior)$51,443$24.7
Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification.50% (Median)$64,680$31.1
SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases.75% (Senior)$85,738$41.2
Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider.90% (Expert)$90,920$43.7

Detailed Recreational Therapists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$68,590

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$68,590

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $68,590 in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national average. Therefore, the increased earnings are offset by the cost of living, suggesting that the financial advantage of working here is primarily driven by the higher pay rate itself rather than a lower cost of living.

Job Market Context

1,110

Total Jobs

0.119

Per 1K Jobs

1.22

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.22, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Recreational Therapists roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.22, the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area demonstrates a higher concentration of Recreational Therapists than the national average. This suggests that the job market here is more robust and potentially more competitive, with employers actively seeking these specialists. While this indicates a strong presence of the profession, it also means job seekers may face more competition for available positions.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Recreational Therapists

CitySalaryDist.
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Recreational Therapists Salary$62,630↓ 9%54 mi
New Haven, CT Recreational Therapists Salary$72,390↑ 6%70 mi

Comparing salaries near New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Hiring Recreational Therapistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Recreational Therapists make in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

The median annual salary for a Recreational Therapists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $68,590. This typically ranges from $48,750 for entry-level positions to $90,920 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is 13.9% higher than the national median of $60,230.

Is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ a lucrative place for Recreational Therapists?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Recreational Therapists.The average salary of $68,590 significantly exceeds the national average, and the location quotient of 1.22 indicates a strong demand for these professionals in the region.

Is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ a good place to live for Recreational Therapists?

The Cost of Living Index in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ?

Some top paying nearby cities include Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT ($62,630) and New Haven, CT.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

Recreational Therapists in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area earn an average of $68,590 annually, which is notably higher than the national average of $60,230.

What is the job concentration for Recreational Therapists in this area?

The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.22, indicating that there are more Recreational Therapists employed in this region relative to the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the salary's value?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the higher salary of $68,590 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average, with no significant impact from a higher or lower cost of living.

How many Recreational Therapists work in this metropolitan area?

There are approximately 1,110 Recreational Therapists employed within the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,110 employees in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area with a job density of 0.119 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

Semantic Salary Analysis for Recreational Therapists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ