Recreational Therapists pay range in Allentown
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $66,730 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Allentown earn between $46,260 and $63,380.
- $37K10th
- $46K25th
- $48KMedian
- $63K75th
- $67K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $52,720 | $4,393 | $25.35 |
| Median | $47,540 | $3,962 | $22.86 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,260 | $3,855 | $22.24 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $63,380 | $5,282 | $30.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Allentown vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Allentown earn 11% less than the Pennsylvania average ($59,450) and 22% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $52,720 | $47,540 | $37,440 | $66,730 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,450 | $58,940 | $39,690 | $80,340 | 720 |
| 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 Allentown
On the average salary of $52,720, a single filer in Allentown takes home about $42,922 a year, or $3,577 a month and $1,651 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in NJ | $43,175 | $3,598 |
| Working in PA | $42,922 | $3,577 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Allentown a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Allentown area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.0), so the average $52,720 buys what about $52,737 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Allentown ($48,990). A typical home costs $363,989, or 6.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Allentown ranks 5th of 6 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Scranton pays the most ($63,280).
- Scranton$63,280
- Philadelphia$61,520
- Pittsburgh$61,510
- Lancaster$53,960
- Allentown$52,720
- Harrisburg$45,340
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 Allentown: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Allentown?
$25.34 an hour on average, and $22.86 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Allentown?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,260, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Allentown?
About $42,922 a year ($3,577 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $52,720. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do recreational therapists earn more in Allentown than elsewhere?
The average here is 22% 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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (10900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.86, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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