Recreational Therapist Working Conditions

Recreational therapists held about 18,600 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most recreational therapists were as follows:

Hospitals; state, local, and private: 35%

Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities): 20%

Government: 19%

Ambulatory healthcare services: 8%

Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly: 6%

Recreational therapists work in a variety of settings and may arrange to have activities both indoors and outdoors. Therapists often work in hospitals or nursing and residential care facilities. They may work in places such as substance abuse centers, rehabilitation centers, special education departments, and parks and recreation departments. They may use offices for planning or other administrative activities, such as client assessment, but may travel when working with clients. Therapists and their clients commonly go to fields and parks for sports and other outdoor activities.

Some recreational therapists work evenings and weekends to meet the needs of their clients.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition

Find additional occupational information below:

Recreational Therapist Duties
Recreational Therapist Work Conditions
Recreational Therapist Employment
Recreational Therapist Training
Recreational Therapist Job Outlook
Recreational Therapist Earnings