The average salary for a recreational therapist in South Dakota is around $46,850 per year.
Avg Salary
Recreational therapists earn an average yearly salary of $46,850.
Wages typically start from $41,390 and go up to $83,780.
16% below national average Updated in 2025
Recreational therapist earnings by seniority
Top-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$40.28 per hour
$83,780 per year
Senior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$28.85 per hour
$60,000 per year
Mid-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$22.53 per hour
$46,850 per year
Junior-level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$20.26 per hour
$42,130 per year
Starting level recreational therapist earnings begin at:
$19.90 per hour
$41,390 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Recreational therapist salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
| Maryland | $64,300 |
| Vermont | $63,380 |
| Connecticut | $63,240 |
| Nebraska | $62,980 |
| Massachusetts | $62,820 |
| Arizona | $62,610 |
| Texas | $62,490 |
| Michigan | $61,700 |
| Virginia | $61,270 |
| Ohio | $60,770 |
| New Jersey | $60,400 |
| Wisconsin | $59,350 |
| Kentucky | $59,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,940 |
| Missouri | $58,620 |
| North Dakota | $58,370 |
| Florida | $57,980 |
| Maine | $57,560 |
| Alabama | $57,360 |
| Utah | $56,640 |
| Iowa | $56,140 |
| Illinois | $54,910 |
| Indiana | $53,770 |
| Georgia | $52,010 |
| Tennessee | $51,910 |
| Louisiana | $51,150 |
| Delaware | $51,110 |
| Montana | $51,110 |
| North Carolina | $51,030 |
| Oklahoma | $50,480 |
| Idaho | $49,720 |
| New Mexico | $49,210 |
| West Virginia | $49,010 |
| South Carolina | $48,880 |
| Wyoming | $48,170 |
| Rhode Island | $47,870 |
| South Dakota | $46,850 |
| Arkansas | $42,670 |
| Kansas | $40,010 |
| Mississippi | $39,560 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,360 |
How do recreational therapist salaries compare to similar careers?
Recreational therapists earn about the same as related careers in South Dakota. On average, they make less than exercise physiologists but more than community health workers.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise physiologist salary | $52K |
| Hearing aid specialist salary | $55K |
| Occupational therapy assistant salary | $56K |
| Mental health counselor salary | $54K |
| Rehabilitation counselor salary | $49K |
| Art therapist salary | $47K |
| Recreational therapist salary | $47K |
| Substance abuse social worker salary | $49K |
| Dental assistant salary | $48K |
| Community health worker salary | $46K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)