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Recreational Therapy Aide Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Recreational Therapy Aide information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$11

$17

$38

How much do recreational therapy aide jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreational therapy aide in Riverside, CA is $17.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.28 and $19.04 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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What are the most commonly searched types of Recreational Therapy jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Recreational Therapy jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Recreational Therapy Aide jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Recreational Therapy Aide job openings:

Recreational Therapy Aide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recreational Therapy Aide job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,089 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Lead Rec Therapist, Full-Time, Days Shift (8 hours)

KPC Health

Anaheim, CA • On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

The posted pay scale represents the range the Company reasonably expects to pay candidates for this position. The actual wage for this position may depend on factors such as experience and education, specific skills and abilities, alignment with similar internal candidates, marketplace factors, an applicable collective bargaining agreement, and Company business practices.
Under the direction of the Director, Behavioral Health, the Lead Recreational Therapist participates as a member of the Multidisciplinary Treatment Team and contributes to the treatment team plan based on the patient's goals and interventions. Plans and implements a program of Psychiatric Recreation Therapy activities to meet goals and interventions for each patient. This includes, but is not limited to, groups and one on one sessions as indicated. Responsible for assisting patients in reducing their anxiety, depression and stress and to gain basic motor functioning and deductive abilities. Responsible for maintenance and upkeep of Activity Therapy supplies, equipment and group rooms and reports concerns if needed. Responsible for Activity Aide staff scheduling and unit assignments.
Qualifications:
12+ years' experience in acute Behavioral Health unit
2. Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Music, Art, Dance or Art or any related field
3. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)- National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
4. Current BCLS upon hire
5. MAB/CPI required within 60 days of hire and annually thereafter
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About KPC Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

KPC Health has an integrated approach to serving the people of Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange County. Our acute care medical centers provide high quality, comprehensive and affordable healthcare for the entire family. For us, healthcare is not just about caring for our patients, but also about investing in the people throughout our communities. We are one team with one mission and that mission is for all our patients, and their families to Enjoy Life in Great Health.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Ana, CA, US

Year founded

2004

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