Recreational therapists
SOC Code: 29-1125
Recreational therapists carries a 26% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,280 and +3.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 16,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Recreational therapists (SOC 29-1125) carries an AI exposure score of 26%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 16,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.3% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $60,280, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Recreational therapists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- 2. Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- 3. 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.
- 4. Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- 5. Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- 6. Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
- 7. Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
- 8. Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
- 9. Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
- 10. Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
Key Skills Required
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Instructing
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Administration and Management
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Recreational therapists?
Recreational therapists has an AI exposure score of 26%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Recreational therapists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Recreational therapists is projected to grow by 3.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 16,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Recreational therapists?
Key skills for Recreational therapists include Service Orientation, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Recreational therapists earn?
The median annual wage for Recreational therapists is $60,280, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Recreational therapists?
The typical entry-level education for Recreational therapists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Recreational therapists?
Recreational therapists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).