Recreational Therapists pay range in Indianapolis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,550 a year or less, while the top 10% make $69,760 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Indianapolis earn between $45,560 and $58,700.
- $39K10th
- $46K25th
- $53KMedian
- $59K75th
- $70K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $53,660 | $4,472 | $25.80 |
| Median | $52,960 | $4,413 | $25.46 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,560 | $3,797 | $21.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $58,700 | $4,892 | $28.22 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Indianapolis vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Indianapolis earn 4% less than the Indiana average ($55,700) and 21% less than the U.S. average ($67,630). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $61,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $53,660 | $52,960 | $38,550 | $69,760 | 100 |
| Indiana | $55,700 | $53,770 | $38,550 | $76,750 | 190 |
| United States | $67,630 | $61,960 | $40,990 | $100,420 | 14,930 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Recreational Therapists salary after taxes in Indianapolis
On the average salary of $53,660, a single filer in Indianapolis takes home about $42,652 a year, or $3,554 a month and $1,640 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Is Indianapolis a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Indianapolis area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $53,660 buys what about $56,073 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Indianapolis ($49,340). A typical home costs $295,921, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$63,990
- Louisville, KY$61,290
- Chicago, IL$58,800
- Columbus, OH$60,340
- Ann Arbor, MI$62,400
- Grand Rapids, MI$53,880
Highest-paying cities for recreational therapists
Napa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,290).
- Napa, CA$109,290
- Stockton, CA$107,870
- San Francisco, CA$103,380
- Vallejo, CA$103,260
- San Jose, CA$99,100
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Recreational Therapists salary in Indianapolis: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Indianapolis?
$25.80 an hour on average, and $25.46 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Indianapolis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,550 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,560, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Indianapolis?
About $42,652 a year ($3,554 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,660. Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Do recreational therapists earn more in Indianapolis than elsewhere?
The average here is 21% less than the U.S. average for this job ($67,630).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1125; area Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN (26900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.91, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.