Recreational Therapists pay range in Harrisburg
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,280 a year or less, while the top 10% make $60,960 or more. The middle half of recreational therapists in Harrisburg earn between $36,280 and $51,510.
- $36K10th
- $36K25th
- $39KMedian
- $52K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $45,340 | $3,778 | $21.80 |
| Median | $39,260 | $3,272 | $18.88 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,280 | $3,023 | $17.44 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $51,510 | $4,292 | $24.76 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Recreational Therapists pay in Harrisburg vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Recreational therapists in Harrisburg earn 24% less than the Pennsylvania average ($59,450) and 33% less than the U.S. average ($67,630). At the median the gap is -37% against the U.S. median of $61,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | $45,340 | $39,260 | $36,280 | $60,960 | 40 |
| 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 Harrisburg
On the average salary of $45,340, a single filer in Harrisburg takes home about $37,219 a year, or $3,102 a month and $1,431 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross 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.
Is Harrisburg a good place for recreational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Harrisburg area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.7), so the average $45,340 buys what about $45,960 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Harrisburg ($49,610). A typical home costs $312,126, or 6.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Recreational Therapists salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Harrisburg ranks 6th 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 Harrisburg: questions
How much do recreational therapists make an hour in Harrisburg?
$21.80 an hour on average, and $18.88 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level recreational therapists salary in Harrisburg?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,280 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,280, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the recreational therapists take-home pay in Harrisburg?
About $37,219 a year ($3,102 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $45,340. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do recreational therapists earn more in Harrisburg than elsewhere?
The average here is 33% 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 Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA (25420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.8%.
- 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 1.28, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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