Recreational Therapists pay range in Baton Rouge
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,590 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Baton Rouge earn between $41,600 and $57,560.
- $37K10th
- $42K25th
- $48KMedian
- $58K75th
- $62K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $49,110 | $4,092 | $23.61 |
| Median | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23.08 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $41,600 | $3,467 | $20.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $57,560 | $4,797 | $27.67 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Baton Rouge vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Baton Rouge earn 8% less than the Louisiana average ($53,360) and 27% less than the U.S. average ($67,630). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $61,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $49,110 | $48,000 | $37,400 | $61,590 | 60 |
| Louisiana | $53,360 | $51,150 | $36,590 | $67,220 | 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 Baton Rouge
On the average salary of $49,110, a single filer in Baton Rouge takes home about $40,553 a year, or $3,379 a month and $1,560 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Baton Rouge a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Baton Rouge area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.8), so the average $49,110 buys what about $54,098 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Baton Rouge ($48,710). A typical home costs $248,176, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in nearby metro areas
- Jackson, MS$45,830
- Memphis, TN$60,730
- Dallas, TX$65,090
- Columbus, GA$51,790
- Atlanta, GA$64,930
- San Antonio, TX$64,520
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 Baton Rouge: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Baton Rouge?
$23.61 an hour on average, and $23.08 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Baton Rouge?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $41,600, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Baton Rouge?
About $40,553 a year ($3,379 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $49,110.
Do recreational therapists earn more in Baton Rouge than elsewhere?
The average here is 27% 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 Baton Rouge, LA (12940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.9%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.56, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.