There are currently an estimated 16,800 recreational therapists in the United States. The recreational therapist job market is expected to grow by 3.6% between 2022 and 2032.
How employable are recreational therapists?
CareerExplorer rates recreational therapists with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 3,800 recreational therapists. That number is based on 600 additional recreational therapists, and the retirement of 3,200 existing recreational therapists.
What’s the supply of recreational therapists?
The recreational therapist industry is concentrated in New York, California, Pennsylvania
Recreational Therapist job market by state
| State Name | Employed Recreational Therapists |
|---|---|
| New York | 1,590 |
| California | 1,520 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,340 |
| Illinois | 1,050 |
| Texas | 960 |
| Massachusetts | 870 |
| Missouri | 640 |
| Michigan | 610 |
| Florida | 610 |
| Minnesota | 520 |
| Georgia | 470 |
| Connecticut | 450 |
| Ohio | 450 |
| North Carolina | 450 |
| New Jersey | 430 |
| Wisconsin | 420 |
| Virginia | 400 |
| Kansas | 390 |
| Utah | 390 |
| Indiana | 340 |
| Maryland | 330 |
| Louisiana | 320 |
| Washington | 260 |
| Nebraska | 240 |
| Oklahoma | 230 |
| Tennessee | 210 |
| South Carolina | 200 |
| Mississippi | 200 |
| Iowa | 170 |
| District of Columbia | 160 |
| Alabama | 130 |
| Oregon | 130 |
| Kentucky | 120 |
| Colorado | 120 |
| Puerto Rico | 110 |
| Nevada | 100 |
| New Hampshire | 100 |
| North Dakota | 80 |
| Idaho | 80 |
| Delaware | 80 |
| New Mexico | 70 |
| Hawaii | 70 |
| Arkansas | 60 |
| Maine | 60 |
| Rhode Island | 50 |
| Vermont | 40 |
| Montana | 40 |
| Wyoming | 40 |
| South Dakota | 40 |