Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for therapeutic recreation assistants in the United States
Therapeutic recreation assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected therapeutic recreation assistant job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 28,100 new jobs for therapeutic recreation assistants are projected over the next decade.
Therapeutic recreation assistant salaries have increased 19% for therapeutic recreation assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,891 therapeutic recreation assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 3,873 active therapeutic recreation assistant job openings in the US.
The average therapeutic recreation assistant salary is $25,481.
Are therapeutic recreation assistant jobs in demand?
Therapeutic recreation assistant job and salary trends over time
Therapeutic recreation assistant jobs over time
Therapeutic recreation assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,891 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,733 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 10,723 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,568 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,532 | 0.00% |
Average therapeutic recreation assistant salary over time
Therapeutic recreation assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,481 | $12.25 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $23,608 | $11.35 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $22,452 | $10.79 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $21,986 | $10.57 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $21,386 | $10.28 | +2.4% |
Therapeutic recreation assistant jobs by state
Most common states for therapeutic recreation assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 32 | 4% |
| 2 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 54 | 2% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 17 | 2% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 16 | 2% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 13 | 2% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 12 | 2% |
| 7 | New York | 19,849,399 | 155 | 1% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 85 | 1% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 80 | 1% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 69 | 1% |
| 11 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 66 | 1% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 59 | 1% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 58 | 1% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 58 | 1% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 47 | 1% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 23 | 1% |
| 17 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 18 | 1% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 15 | 1% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 7 | 1% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 6 | 1% |
Most common cities for therapeutic recreation assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New London | 1 | 4% | $33,814 |
| 2 | Henderson | 1 | 3% | $22,574 |
| 3 | Naugatuck | 1 | 3% | $33,745 |
| 4 | Odenton | 1 | 3% | $25,425 |
| 5 | Meriden | 1 | 2% | $33,811 |
| 6 | Bridgeport | 2 | 1% | $33,538 |
| 7 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $25,505 |
| 8 | Tallahassee | 1 | 1% | $26,103 |
Therapeutic Recreation Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of therapeutic recreation assistant experts
University of New Hampshire
Eastern Kentucky University
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Therapeutic Recreation Assistants?
Michael Ferguson Ph.D.: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact upon outdoor recreation both in the United States and worldwide. In the decades leading up to the pandemic, outdoor recreation visitation had consistently and incrementally increased across local, state, and federal parks and protected areas. Adding fuel to this visitation fire, the pandemic has caused dramatic and abrupt increases in visitation across an already overwhelmed parks and protected areas system. This explosion in interest in parks and protected areas has created both benefits and challenges for the visitors, communities, stakeholder, and managers who are dependent upon the outdoor recreation industry. Moreover, the pandemic has open myriad opportunities for students graduating with a degree in Recreation Management and Policy. Now more than ever, parks and protected areas at the local, state, federal, private, and non-profit levels are demanding an educated and skilled workforce to manage and protect these resources while simultaneously providing high-quality outdoor recreation experiences.
Dr. Jon McChesney
Department Chair & Graduate CoordinatorEastern Kentucky University
Department of Recreation & Park Administration
What type of skills will young Therapeutic Recreation Assistants need?
Dr. Jon McChesney: Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence and a relationship orientation for graduates. The need for connection is perhaps greater than at any time in our history, given the loneliness epidemic, the increase in depression, and suicide. Professionals need to be mindful of the issues facing our country and demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural agility. Creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change will continue to be important as recreation is forced to evolve in a Covid-19 world and beyond.