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Recreation therapist vs certified recreational therapist

The differences between recreation therapists and certified recreational therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a recreation therapist and a certified recreational therapist. Additionally, a certified recreational therapist has an average salary of $61,472, which is higher than the $55,992 average annual salary of a recreation therapist.

The top three skills for a recreation therapist include patients, CTRS and mental health. The most important skills for a certified recreational therapist are patients, therapeutic recreation, and rehabilitation.

Recreation therapist vs certified recreational therapist overview

Recreation TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Yearly salary$55,992$61,472
Hourly rate$26.92$29.55
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs54,26356,515
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Recreation therapist vs certified recreational therapist salary

Recreation therapists and certified recreational therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average salary$55,992$61,472
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $85,000Between $41,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCottage Health-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between recreation therapist and certified recreational therapist education

There are a few differences between a recreation therapist and a certified recreational therapist in terms of educational background:

Recreation TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorRehabilitation ScienceRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Recreation therapist vs certified recreational therapist demographics

Here are the differences between recreation therapists' and certified recreational therapists' demographics:

Recreation TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 19.6% Female, 80.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between recreation therapist and certified recreational therapist duties and responsibilities

Recreation therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Evaluate assigned patients to assess and document the need for therapeutic recreational interventions in order to attain rehabilitation goals.
  • Obtain ABG samples when need, EKG analysis, and oxygen therapy to patients.
  • Support the CTRS in planning and implementation of in- house events and community outings.
  • Organize and facilitate programs for TBI survivors and their families.
  • Use patient prefer music to apply NMT protocols into sessions.
    • Show more

Certified recreational therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Provide instruction and awareness on use of adaptive equipment.
  • Function as a PRN CTRS for an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital.
  • Research and purchase adaptive equipment, activity supplies and daily needs for the program.
  • Lead and co-lead therapeutic psychiatric rehabilitation groups.
  • Create policy and procedure manual for rehabilitation unit van.
    • Show more

Recreation therapist vs certified recreational therapist skills

Common recreation therapist skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • CTRS, 11%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
Common certified recreational therapist skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Therapeutic Recreation, 17%
  • Rehabilitation, 12%
  • Recreation Therapy, 10%
  • CTRS, 10%
  • Interdisciplinary, 8%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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