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Careers in Recreation Therapy
San Jose State University recreational therapy undergraduates are eagerly sought after by clinical agencies desiring their services as interns and by employers seeking additions to their staff. Graduates of our program are employed by hospitals and treatment centers throughout the region and across the nation.
RECREATION THERAPY NAMED BYCNNTO BE AMONG THE TOP 10 JOBS TO SAVE THE WORLD!
RT Salary Analysis for San Jose Area
MONEY Magazine and Salary.com rate careers on salary and job prospects.Recreation Therapy named as one of the best jobs in America (Note: Salary is National average not Bay Area average)
Who employs Recreational Therapists?
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Physical rehabilitation hospitals
- Veteran's hospitals
- Pediatric Hospitals
- Nursing/convalescent homes
- City Park and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation programs
- Community transition programs
- Wilderness therapy programs
- Adult day care centers
- Prisons/juvenile care facilities
- Schools
- Private consulting
California:
The largest industries employing Recreational Therapists are as follows:
| Industry Title | Percent of Total Employment for Occupation in California |
|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 26.1% |
| Nursing Care Facilities | 16.5% |
| State Government | 10.8% |
| Psychiatric & Substance Abuse Hospitals | 9.4% |
| Community Care Facility for the Elderly | 8.5% |
| Source: EDD/LMID Staffing Patterns at www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/?Pageid=1012 | |
78.5% of California RT is housed in a Clinical Setting(above totals 71.3)
Projections of employment:
In California, the number of Recreational Therapists is expected to grow at an average rate compared with the total for all occupations. Jobs for Recreational Therapists are expected to increase by 9.1 percent, or 100 jobs between 2008 and 2018.
Continued increase in nursing care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly and residential outpatient settings.
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics
“Job opportunities should be best for people with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation and the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential. Recreational therapists might experience more competition for jobs in certain regions of the country as jobs in therapeutic recreation tend to cluster in more densely populated areas.”
Salary
Annual Wages in California: low Median High
41,642 56,260 70,292
Median in San Francisco Bay Area: $55,501
* EDD Survey 2010 Labor Market Info
More Information On Careers In Recreational Therapy: consult the program coordinator or visit SJSU Career Services or visit the links below for additional resources.
Employment Development Department: California Occupational Guide
O*NET Online: Occupational Information for the Tasks, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Activities of a Recreation Therapist
College Board--An organization that connects students to colleges and careers. Read about Recreation Therapy.
For more information on salaries contact the RT program director:
Dr. Suzy Ross
Susan.Ross@sjsu.edu
408-924-3007
Additional information also available from
Employment Development Department: California Occupational Guide
O*NET Online:Occupational Information for the Tasks, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Activities of a Recreation Therapist
