Recreational Therapists pay range in Louisville
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,330 a year or less, while the top 10% make $78,730 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Louisville earn between $51,870 and $72,150.
- $41K10th
- $52K25th
- $62KMedian
- $72K75th
- $79K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $61,290 | $5,108 | $29.47 |
| Median | $61,840 | $5,153 | $29.73 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $51,870 | $4,322 | $24.94 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $72,150 | $6,012 | $34.69 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Louisville vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Louisville earn 5% more than the Kentucky average ($58,460) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($67,630). At the median the gap is -0% against the U.S. median of $61,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $61,290 | $61,840 | $41,330 | $78,730 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $58,460 | $59,240 | $37,850 | $77,590 | 100 |
| 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 Louisville
On the average salary of $61,290, a single filer in Louisville takes home about $48,051 a year, or $4,004 a month and $1,848 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $49,618 | $4,135 |
| Working in KY | $48,051 | $4,004 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Is Louisville a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Louisville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.1), so the average $61,290 buys what about $65,851 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Louisville ($48,370). A typical home costs $283,232, or 4.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$63,990
- Indianapolis, IN$53,660
- Nashville, TN$56,090
- Columbus, OH$60,340
- Chattanooga, TN$51,970
- St. Louis, MO$65,550
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
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Recreational Therapists salary in Louisville: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Louisville?
$29.47 an hour on average, and $29.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Louisville?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,330 a year and the 25th percentile is $51,870, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Louisville?
About $48,051 a year ($4,004 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $61,290. Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Do recreational therapists earn more in Louisville than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN (31140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- 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 (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.71, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.71).
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