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Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy technician

The differences between recreation therapists and recreational therapy technicians 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 recreational therapy technician. Additionally, a recreation therapist has an average salary of $55,992, which is higher than the $45,332 average annual salary of a recreational therapy technician.

The top three skills for a recreation therapist include patients, CTRS and mental health. The most important skills for a recreational therapy technician are developmental disabilities, , and .

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy technician overview

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Yearly salary$55,992$45,332
Hourly rate$26.92$21.79
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs54,26316,487
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy technician salary

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

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Average salary$55,992$45,332
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $85,000Between $30,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCottage Health-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between recreation therapist and recreational therapy technician education

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

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorRehabilitation SciencePsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy technician demographics

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

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%
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 recreational therapy technician 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

Recreational therapy technician example responsibilities.

  • Implement and plan activities, written by CTRS.
  • Prepare materials for assessments and provide assistance to individuals through hands-on methods and direct contact observations by assisting the rehabilitation supervisor.
  • Redesign gazebo for accessible gardening activities.

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy technician skills

Common recreation therapist skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • CTRS, 11%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
Common recreational therapy technician skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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