2 answers
Katherine
Student
Marysville, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What does the job market look like in the next 5 years for recreational therapists?
I am a high school senior looking to major in recreational therapy.
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2 answers
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Katherine 👋🏻...
Recreational therapy is one of those careers that quietly grows in the background because the need keeps increasing even if people don’t talk about it as much. Over the next five years, the job market looks steady and positive for a few reasons.
Hospitals, rehab centers, and long-term care facilities are seeing more patients who need support beyond medical treatment—especially seniors, people recovering from injuries, and individuals with developmental or mental-health conditions. Recreational therapists fit that gap perfectly. They help people build strength, confidence, and independence through activities that feel human, not clinical.
There’s also a rising focus on mental health, which is pushing more programs to include therapeutic recreation as part of their care teams. Schools, community centers, and veterans’ programs are hiring more in this field too.
It’s not the kind of job market where thousands of openings pop up overnight, but the growth is stable and consistent. If you stack your degree with internships, volunteer hours, or experience in sports, arts, or community programs, you’ll be in a strong position.
If you like working directly with people, enjoy creativity, and want a career where you actually see your impact, recreational therapy stays a promising path and one that’s becoming more valued as healthcare shifts toward whole-person care.
Recreational therapy is one of those careers that quietly grows in the background because the need keeps increasing even if people don’t talk about it as much. Over the next five years, the job market looks steady and positive for a few reasons.
Hospitals, rehab centers, and long-term care facilities are seeing more patients who need support beyond medical treatment—especially seniors, people recovering from injuries, and individuals with developmental or mental-health conditions. Recreational therapists fit that gap perfectly. They help people build strength, confidence, and independence through activities that feel human, not clinical.
There’s also a rising focus on mental health, which is pushing more programs to include therapeutic recreation as part of their care teams. Schools, community centers, and veterans’ programs are hiring more in this field too.
It’s not the kind of job market where thousands of openings pop up overnight, but the growth is stable and consistent. If you stack your degree with internships, volunteer hours, or experience in sports, arts, or community programs, you’ll be in a strong position.
If you like working directly with people, enjoy creativity, and want a career where you actually see your impact, recreational therapy stays a promising path and one that’s becoming more valued as healthcare shifts toward whole-person care.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Katherine !
You have already received excellent advice for a clinical career as a Recreational Therapist ! I wanted to chime in because there is another option as well to keep on the back burner just in case.
An option other than in the clinical field would be to look at possibilities in the non-medical field such as positions in local city or state jobs in parks and recreation positions. You would be very qualified.
As I write, there is an opening for a General Activities Therapist in Marysville, OH through the State of Ohio. You could also be a Campground Coordinator. The Ohio State University also has positions such as Coordinator, Camps and Competitive Sports, and Manager, Competitive Sports programming and Camps. Several state and city government jobs in Marysville, Ohio, are available within the recreation and entertainment sector. You can use their online portal to keep up with what positions are available.
Since it is possible to get work in more than one venue, I wanted to mention this so you can feel that you have options and would not be grasping at straws for work once you graduate. The non-medical opportunities seem to reflect a range of roles from therapeutic recreation to event officiating and park operations, giving you a broader perspective for work after college.
For an even broader view, keep in mind that non-profit organizations such as the YMCA, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, and Paralyzed Veterans of America use Recreational Therapists also. In addition, there are positions in correctional facilities, private practice, working with community programs, school special education programs, or assisted living centers. No one can predict the job market five years from now, but I wanted to let you know that there is a variety of places you could work in addition to any medical setting.
Just keep in mind that wherever you do you work, it will benefit people's health even if it's not in a medical setting.
I hope this alleviates any worry about the future and I wish you all the best !
You have already received excellent advice for a clinical career as a Recreational Therapist ! I wanted to chime in because there is another option as well to keep on the back burner just in case.
An option other than in the clinical field would be to look at possibilities in the non-medical field such as positions in local city or state jobs in parks and recreation positions. You would be very qualified.
As I write, there is an opening for a General Activities Therapist in Marysville, OH through the State of Ohio. You could also be a Campground Coordinator. The Ohio State University also has positions such as Coordinator, Camps and Competitive Sports, and Manager, Competitive Sports programming and Camps. Several state and city government jobs in Marysville, Ohio, are available within the recreation and entertainment sector. You can use their online portal to keep up with what positions are available.
Since it is possible to get work in more than one venue, I wanted to mention this so you can feel that you have options and would not be grasping at straws for work once you graduate. The non-medical opportunities seem to reflect a range of roles from therapeutic recreation to event officiating and park operations, giving you a broader perspective for work after college.
For an even broader view, keep in mind that non-profit organizations such as the YMCA, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, and Paralyzed Veterans of America use Recreational Therapists also. In addition, there are positions in correctional facilities, private practice, working with community programs, school special education programs, or assisted living centers. No one can predict the job market five years from now, but I wanted to let you know that there is a variety of places you could work in addition to any medical setting.
Just keep in mind that wherever you do you work, it will benefit people's health even if it's not in a medical setting.
I hope this alleviates any worry about the future and I wish you all the best !