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Recreational Therapy Aide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arch Vista

PRN Recreational Therapy Aide

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Job Address: 5500 South Broadway St Louis, MO 63111 PRN Recreational Therapy Aide Pay Range: $15 - $20hr Shift : PRN Hours About Arch Vista: ArchVista provides compassionate, evidence-based ...

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How much do recreational therapy aide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreational therapy aide in the United States is $17.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recreational therapy aide?

Recreational Therapy Aides are support professionals who assist recreational therapists in planning, organizing, and leading activities for individuals with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Their role is to help implement treatment plans that use recreation and leisure activities to improve patients' physical, emotional, and social well-being. Duties often include preparing materials, setting up activities, supervising participants, and documenting progress. Recreational Therapy Aides work in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and community centers.

What does a recreational therapy aide do?

The responsibilities of a recreational therapy aide include working to assist a therapist or therapy assistant as they carry out planned recreational treatment. In this career, you work directly under a recreational therapist who ultimately decides your job duties. You often engage in activity with patients with mental or physical disabilities. You may help with the assessment of patients before, during, and after the treatment. In addition to being involved in therapeutic activities, you may work to prepare for treatment or clean and store equipment afterward.

What types of activities and interventions might a recreational therapy aide help plan and facilitate on a daily basis?

As a Recreational Therapy Aide, you'll frequently assist in planning and facilitating a variety of therapeutic activities tailored to specific client needs. These can include group exercises, arts and crafts, music sessions, games, and outings designed to improve physical, social, and emotional well-being. You'll work closely with certified recreational therapists and other healthcare professionals, helping to set up activities, encourage participation, and document client progress. This role requires adaptability and strong interpersonal skills, as you'll interact with individuals of varying abilities and backgrounds in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or long-term care facilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreational therapy aide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recreational Therapy Aide, you need a basic understanding of therapeutic recreation principles, strong observation skills, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with activity planning software, adaptive equipment, and basic medical documentation systems is often required. Patience, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills help build rapport with clients and support effective group facilitation. These abilities are crucial for promoting client well-being, ensuring safe participation, and delivering meaningful therapeutic experiences.

What is the difference between Recreational Therapy Aide vs Recreational Therapist?

AspectRecreational Therapy AideRecreational Therapist
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingBachelor's degree in recreational therapy or related field; certification often required
Work EnvironmentHospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, community programsSame as aide, but with more independent clinical responsibilities
Job RoleAssist recreational therapists, prepare activities, support client engagementDevelop and implement treatment plans, assess patient progress, lead activities

Recreational Therapy Aides support recreational therapists by assisting with activities and client engagement, typically requiring less formal education. Recreational Therapists have advanced training, develop treatment plans, and lead therapy sessions. Both roles work in similar environments, but the therapist holds more responsibility for clinical decision-making.

How hard is it to become a recreational therapy aide?

Becoming a recreational therapy aide typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent and some knowledge of therapeutic activities. While formal certification is not always required, having relevant skills, such as communication and activity planning, can improve job prospects; some positions may require on-the-job training or basic certifications like CPR.

Where do recreational therapy aides make the most money?

Recreational therapy aides tend to earn higher wages in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for healthcare services, such as urban areas or states with well-funded healthcare systems. Salaries can also vary based on the setting, with positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or specialized clinics often offering higher pay compared to community or outpatient settings.
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Recreational Therapy Aide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recreational Therapy Aide job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,551 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Recreational Therapy Aide

Sunshine Terrace Foundation

Logan, UT • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Recreational Therapy Aide

Logan, UT, USA

13.00-15.00 per hour Pay Period run from Sunday to Saturday every two week. Payroll is every other Friday.

Hourly

Full-time/Part-time

Benefits are available to Full-time Employees after working continuously for up to 90 days prior to receiving Benefits.

Recreation Therapy Assistant (30 Hours/Week) Sunshine Terrace Skilled Nursing Facility Shift: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunshine Terrace Skilled Nursing Facility is seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate Recreation Therapy Assistant to coordinate and deliver engaging therapeutic activities for our residents. This part-time position (30 hours per week) plays a vital role in enhancing residents' quality of life through meaningful recreational programming.

Position Summary

The Recreation Therapy Assistant plans, organizes, and implements daily therapeutic activities designed to meet the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive needs of residents. This role works closely with residents, families, and staff to create a positive and supportive environment.

Essential Responsibilities
  • Foster positive and enthusiastic interactions with residents, families, and team members.
  • Plan, prepare, and lead therapeutic recreational activities.
  • Maintain accurate daily documentation of resident participation.
  • Collaborate with the team to develop creative activity ideas tailored to resident needs.
  • Conduct one-on-one interviews to assess resident interests and preferences.
  • Assist with developing, updating, and documenting resident activity care plans and progress notes.
  • Transport residents to community outings using a company vehicle, as appropriate.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of protected health information.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned to support department and facility needs.
Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Therapeutic Recreation Technician License required within 9 months of hire (licensing cost covered by the Sunshine Terrace Foundation).
  • Experience working with a geriatric population preferred but not required.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Reports directly to the Recreation Therapy Director.

Sunshine Terrace Skilled Nursing Facility is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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