Average Recreational Therapists Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Recreational Therapists in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area earn an average annual salary of $58,920. This figure is marginally below the national average of $60,230. Local economic factors and the specific demand within this metropolitan area contribute to this compensation level.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $58,920 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 32.0% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $77,010.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 380 Recreational Therapists, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area demonstrates a notable concentration of these professionals, indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.35. This suggests a demand that is 35% higher than the national average, pointing towards a robust and potentially growing job market for this role within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Recreational Therapists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-2.2%below the national average.
$28.3
$1,133
$4,910
Recreational Therapists Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is generally observed that salaries for specialized roles like Recreational Therapists tend to experience steady growth over a four-year period, driven by inflation, increased demand, and evolving healthcare needs. This upward trend is likely reflected in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington market as well.
Recreational Therapists Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Career progression for Recreational Therapists typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while senior therapists with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching the upper percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify the career advancement opportunities available.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident / New GradClinical rotation complete. Gaining floor experience. | 10% (Entry) | $41,630 | $20 |
| Staff ClinicianFull patient caseload. Proficient in core procedures. | 25% (Junior) | $44,190 | $21.2 |
| Charge / SeniorShift lead. Precepts new hires. Specialized certification. | 50% (Median) | $57,060 | $27.4 |
| SpecialistAdvanced degree/cert (e.g., ICU, OR). High acuity cases. | 75% (Senior) | $73,650 | $35.4 |
| Director / LeadDepartment head or Advanced Practice Provider. | 90% (Expert) | $77,010 | $37 |
Detailed Recreational Therapists Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$58,920
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$58,920
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $58,920 in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Recreational Therapist's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial standing relative to the cost of goods and services.
Job Market Context
380
Total Jobs
0.132
Per 1K Jobs
1.35
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.35, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Recreational Therapists roles compared to the national norm.
The Location Quotient of 1.35 for Recreational Therapists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington signifies a higher concentration of these professionals compared to the national average. This indicates a strong presence and potentially competitive market for these roles, suggesting that employers may have a good pool of talent to draw from, while job seekers may find ample opportunities.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Recreational Therapists
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA Recreational Therapists Salary | $61,390↑ 4% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Recreational Therapistss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Recreational Therapists make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Recreational Therapists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $58,920. This typically ranges from $41,630 for entry-level positions to $77,010 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 2.2% lower than the national median of $60,230.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Recreational Therapists?
Moderately lucrative.The average salary is slightly below the national average, but the cost of living is also at the national average, creating a balanced financial environment.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Recreational Therapists?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Reading, PA ($61,390) and others.
How does the local salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Recreational Therapists in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $58,920, which is slightly lower than the national average of $60,230.
What does the Location Quotient of 1.35 mean for job seekers?
A Location Quotient of 1.35 indicates that Recreational Therapists are more concentrated in this area than the national average, suggesting a robust job market with potentially more opportunities.
How does the cost of living affect the salary in Philadelphia?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local salary of $58,920 has the same purchasing power as the national average salary, indicating a neutral impact of cost of living on real wages.
What is the total number of Recreational Therapists in the Philadelphia area?
There are approximately 380 Recreational Therapists employed within the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington 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 380 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 0.132 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Recreational Therapists Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- All Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Management Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Browse All Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Recreational Therapists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD