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Boston Career Explorer

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Recreational Therapists

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Also called: Activities Coordinator, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), General Activities Therapist, Recreation Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator

Median pay in Greater Boston
$63,390
$30.48/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
180
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+3.1%
20 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$49,660$55,900$63,390$78,140$97,380

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  • Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
  • Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
  • Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
  • Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
  • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure56 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 52
  • Language-model AIOE 57
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 59

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for recreational therapists is moderate, and observed AI use is little or none so far. AI tools may help with writing progress notes and drafting treatment plans. Leading sessions, motivating patients, and adjusting activities in the moment depend on a person in the room.

Likely to change

  • Writing progress notes and records
  • Drafting treatment plan outlines

Still relies on people

  • Leading and encouraging patients in activities
  • Adjusting sessions to each person's needs

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Physical Therapist Assistants

    You already coach patients through activities and track progress. This role offers higher median pay and strong projected growth, with an associate's degree.

    Pay difference
    +$17,040 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +18.5%
    To get started
    Associate's degree

  • Occupational Therapy Assistants

    Teaching patients and families skills and keeping a positive attitude carry over. It offers higher median pay and strong growth with an associate's degree.

    Pay difference
    +$11,910 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +16.3%
    To get started
    Associate's degree

  • Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

    Observing participants and adapting activities to different ability levels carry over. It needs a shorter path to start and has strong projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$1,800 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +14.0%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

1 program near Boston

Related occupations

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