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Recreational Therapists in Colorado

Recreational Therapists in Colorado

Thinking about a career as a Recreational Therapists in Colorado? Below are the key facts. 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. Excludes “Recreation Workers” (39-9032).

What do Recreational Therapists Make in Colorado?

The recreational therapists working in Colorado, wages run about $62,630 per year (or about $30.11/hour).Earnings range from $42,840 at the 10th percentile to $85,110 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $42,840 $20.60
25th percentile $51,150 $24.59
Median (50th) $62,630 $30.11
75th percentile $69,480 $33.40
90th percentile $85,110 $40.92
Salary ranges for Recreational Therapists in Colorado

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, recreational therapists earn a median of $150,116 per year ($72.17/hour), lower than the Colorado median.

Recreational Therapists earnings in Colorado vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 2,485,050 recreational therapists nationwide.

Forecasted number of jobs for Recreational Therapists

Top Colorado Metros for Recreational Therapists

These are the Colorado metros with the most recreational therapists in Colorado.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 170 $64,240

Top States for Recreational Therapists Employment

View the states that employ the most recreational therapists work.

State Number Employed
California 1,780
New York 1,310
Texas 1,030
Pennsylvania 750
Kansas 710
Florida 560
Virginia 560
North Carolina 480
Michigan 450
Wisconsin 430
Nevada 410
Georgia 410
New Jersey 360
Maryland 340
Connecticut 340
Ohio 310
Illinois 290
Iowa 270
Massachusetts 260
Utah 260

Highest-Paying States for Recreational Therapists

Where recreational therapists earn the most: recreational therapists.

State Annual Median Salary
California $96,530
District of Columbia $92,010
Washington $78,620
Nevada $77,450
New Hampshire $74,780
Minnesota $67,300
New Jersey $64,880
Oregon $64,000
Illinois $63,610
New York $63,520

Skills

Top recreational therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Service Orientation  4.1 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  4.0 / 5
0
5
Coordination  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Psychology  4.5 / 5
0
5
Therapy and Counseling  4.5 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  4.4 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  4.2 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Sociology and Anthropology  3.5 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for recreational therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speech Clarity  4.0 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Recreational Therapists typically:

  • Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  • Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
  • Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
  • 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.
  • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
  • Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
  • Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
  • 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.
  • Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
  • Develop discharge plans for patients.

Work Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Getting Information
  • Scheduling Work and Activities
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Coaching and Developing Others
  • Developing and Building Teams

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

  • Rehabilitation Professions

Related occupations to recreational therapists include:

Also Known As

Activities Coordinator, Activities Therapist, Activity Therapist, Adventure Therapist, Certified Recreational Therapist, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Creative Arts Therapist, Dance Therapist, Drama Therapist, Ecotherapist, General Activities Therapist, Horticultural Therapist, Life Enrichment Coordinator (LEC), Lifestyle Director, Music Rehabilitation Therapist.

References

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