The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released data showing that more than 14,620 recreational therapists were employed in the United States as of May 2024. Approximately 1,360 of them worked in the four-state Southwestern region. While all states in the region reported data, the national figures are based on incomplete data, as not all states submitted wage information for recreational therapists. The Southwest presented a mixed picture in terms of pay: Texas stood out, ranking among the top three states nationally for annual mean wages, while New Mexico and Oklahoma lagged behind, with wages falling below the national average. A closer examination of May 2024 BLS data reveals the following about recreational therapist pay in the Southwestern U.S.:
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Recreational Therapist Pay in the Southwestern U.S. |
| State | # Employed | Annual Mean Wages | Wage Rank* |
| AZ | 150 | $66,150 | 12th |
| NM | 90 | $62,190 | 15th |
| OK | 90 | $50,950 | 39th |
| TX | 1,030 | $81,870 | 3rd |
| U.S. | 14,620 | $62,644 | ------- |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on October 8, 2025
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