Recreational Therapists
SOC Code: 29-1125 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Recreational Therapists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $41,725 | $68,869 | $96,034 | $123,178 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $40,997 | $67,288 | $93,600 | $119,891 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,270 | $90,875 | $103,501 | $116,106 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $78,936 | $90,626 | $102,294 | $113,984 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,642 | $91,395 | $102,170 | $112,923 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $87,464 | $95,472 | $103,501 | $111,509 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $79,976 | $90,397 | $100,818 | $111,238 |
| Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $37,814 | $62,046 | $86,299 | $110,531 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $81,806 | $90,168 | $98,550 | $106,912 |
| Napa, CA | $82,930 | $90,792 | $98,634 | $106,496 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State Hospitals - Coalinga | 9 | $86,055 |
| Beautiful Gate Center | 4 | $40,040 |
| Delfina Pilates LLC | 3 | $65,756 |
| California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation | 3 | $87,108 |
| The Music Place, Inc | 2 | $73,800 |
| University of Kansas Health System | 2 | $58,240 |
| Salida Del Sol Adult Day Health Care LLC | 2 | $47,798 |
| Hans Homecare Inc | 2 | $49,400 |
| St. Otto's Care Center Inc. | 2 | $50,960 |
| Center for Seniors | 1 | $61,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | $79,123 |
| 2021 | 2 | $59,808 |
| 2022 | 4 | $45,453 |
| 2023 | 6 | $67,886 |
| 2024 | 13 | $69,162 |
| 2025 | 23 | $4,721,385 |
| 2026 | 1 | $62,566 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Service Orientation | 4.1 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Coordination | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Instructing | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.5 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Psychology | 4.5 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 4.5 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.4 |
| Education and Training | 4.2 |
| English Language | 4.1 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 3.5 |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.2 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 91.9% |
| Master's degree | 5.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.7% |
Typical Tasks
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
- Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
- Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Avid Technology Sibelius Email software Hyperscore MakeMusic Finale Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software Patient electronic medical record EMR software Speech recognition software Steinberg Cubase Pro Web browser software
Calculate your wage level for Recreational Therapists →
Advertisement
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.