ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Activity Therapist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CHS Corporate

Activity Therapist

Birmingham, AL

Job Summary The Activity Therapist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing therapeutic group and individual activities that support the emotional, cognitive, and social well-being ...

VitalCore Health Strategies

Activity Therapist

Topeka, KS · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

ACTIVITY THERAPIST BENEFITS PACKAGE: * Holiday Pay : New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas ...

VEST MONROE LLC

Activity Therapist

Monroe, GA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN ACTIVITY THERAPIST! Full-Time Your Work Matters How will you make a difference? Join our dynamic team at Ridgeview Institute Monroe and make a difference as an Activity Therapist

ScionHealth

Activity Therapist

Columbus, GA · On-site

Ensures recreation therapy activities meet the needs, interests and capabilities of the patients/ clients of the facility. * Able to perform an appropriate assessment on all patients/clients as ...

Lifepoint Health

Activity Therapist

Holyoke, MA · On-site

$23.98 - $32.37/hr

Activity Therapist Job Type: Fulltime, Non-Exempt Schedule: Towers at VSBHH, M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm, rotating weekends Your experience matters Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital is operated ...

Acadia Healthcare

Activity Therapist

Moosic, PA · On-site

Activity Therapist Plan, direct and implement activity therapy programs as a component of the patient's treatment plan. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: · Apply psychotherapeutic techniques and interventions in ...

Lifepoint Health

Activity Therapist

Holyoke, MA · On-site

$23.98 - $32.37/hr

Activity Therapist Job Type: Fulltime, Non-Exempt Schedule: Towers at VSBHH, M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm, rotating weekends Your experience matters Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital is operated ...

Acadia Healthcare

Activity Therapist

Moosic, PA · On-site

Activity Therapist Plan, direct and implement activity therapy programs as a component of the patient's treatment plan. Responsibilities ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Apply psychotherapeutic techniques ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsActivity Therapist Jobs

Activity Therapist information

See salary details

$12

$28

$45

How much do activity therapist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for activity therapist in the United States is $28.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $36.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Where do recreational therapists get paid the most?

Recreational therapists tend to earn the highest salaries in metropolitan areas with a high cost of living and larger healthcare facilities, such as major cities or regions with extensive healthcare networks. Salaries are also influenced by experience, certifications, and the setting, such as hospitals or rehabilitation centers, where demand for specialized therapeutic services is greater.

What are the career paths in recreation therapy?

Career paths in recreation therapy include roles such as activity therapist, recreational therapist, and therapeutic recreation specialist, often working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or community settings. Advancement can involve specialization in areas like mental health or geriatrics, or moving into supervisory or administrative positions. Certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) can enhance career opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Activity Therapist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Activity Therapist, you need a background in recreational therapy or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree and relevant certifications such as CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist). Familiarity with assessment tools, adaptive equipment, and documentation systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and patience help you effectively engage clients and tailor activities to their unique needs. These skills are vital for designing therapeutic activities that promote clients' physical, emotional, and social well-being.

What are Activity Therapists?

Activity Therapists are healthcare professionals who use recreational and therapeutic activities to support individuals in improving their physical, emotional, and social well-being. They design and lead structured programs such as arts and crafts, music, games, and exercise tailored to each client’s needs. Activity Therapists often work in settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and mental health facilities to help patients achieve therapeutic goals and enhance their quality of life.

What are the highest paying recreation jobs?

For activity therapists, highest-paying recreation jobs typically include roles in healthcare settings such as hospital or rehabilitation center therapists, and specialized therapeutic recreation managers. These positions often require advanced certifications and experience, with salaries influenced by location, level of education, and scope of responsibilities.

What are some common challenges Activity Therapists face when working with diverse patient populations?

Activity Therapists often encounter challenges in adapting activities to meet the varying physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities of a diverse patient population. Balancing group dynamics, cultural sensitivities, and individual therapeutic goals requires flexibility and strong communication skills. Additionally, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure activities are both engaging and therapeutic can require creative problem-solving and ongoing professional development.

What is an activity therapist?

An activity therapist is a healthcare professional who uses recreational and therapeutic activities to help patients improve their physical, emotional, and social well-being. They often work in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or mental health facilities, designing individualized activity plans and may require certification in therapeutic recreation or related fields.
More about Activity Therapist jobs
What cities are hiring for Activity Therapist jobs? Cities with the most Activity Therapist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Activity Therapist jobs? The most popular types of Activity Therapist jobs are:
What states have the most Activity Therapist jobs? States with the most job openings for Activity Therapist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Activity Therapist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Activity Therapist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Activity Therapist jobs? For Activity Therapist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Activity Therapist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Activity Therapist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,690 per year, or $28.7 per hour.
Activity Therapist

Activity Therapist

CHS Corporate

Birmingham, AL

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

CHS Inc. rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 358 rated logistics

Job description

Job Description Job Summary
The Activity Therapist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing therapeutic group and individual activities that support the emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of patients. This role focuses on activity-based interventions to promote recovery, enhance quality of life, and support treatment goals. The Activity Therapist collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to tailor programming to patient needs, especially in behavioral health and rehabilitation settings.
Essential Functions
  • Plans and leads structured therapeutic activities and recreation-based interventions appropriate to the patient population and clinical goals.
  • Facilitates group sessions that foster social interaction, emotional expression, stress reduction, and engagement in meaningful tasks.
  • Assesses patient interests, functional abilities, and treatment needs to design individualized activity plans.
  • Collaborates with clinical staff to incorporate activity therapy into interdisciplinary treatment planning.
  • Maintains a safe, organized, and therapeutic environment in accordance with hospital policies and behavioral health protocols.
  • Monitors and documents patient participation and progress, providing feedback to treatment teams.
  • Adapts activities based on patient response, behavioral needs, and safety considerations.
  • Provides orientation and mentorship to new staff or students as needed.
  • Maintains therapy materials, equipment, and supplies in a clean and orderly manner.
  • Participates in team meetings, staff development, and quality improvement initiatives.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
  • Complies with all policies and standards.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Recreational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, or a related healthcare field required
  • 0-2 years of experience in activity therapy, recreational therapy, behavioral health programming, or a related setting required
  • 2-4 years of experience in activity therapy or a related clinical program preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of activity therapy principles, behavioral health conditions, and therapeutic group facilitation.
  • Ability to design and implement creative, safe, and engaging therapeutic activities.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with patients and care teams.
  • Ability to respond effectively to changing patient needs and de-escalate challenging behaviors.
  • Excellent organizational skills to manage schedules, supplies, and documentation.
  • Compassionate, patient-centered approach with sensitivity to diverse populations.
Licenses and Certifications
  • CTRS - Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist preferred
  • Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification preferred
  • BCLS - Basic Life Support preferred

What CHS Inc. employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply