Recreational Therapists Entry-Level Career Resources

Bachelor Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Bachelor's Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are designed for new bachelor's degree graduates ready to start their first professional position. For recent graduates who want realistic starting points that match their degree and experience level. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.

4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video .

This page will take you through 4 steps, to find entry level Bachelor degree jobs and careers: (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.

Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 110 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:

Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Water Resource Specialists / 50.00% / 36.37% / ($157,740)

Medical Dosimetrists / 75.00% / 30.00% / ($132,880)

Actuaries / 89.28% / 82.14% / ($120,000)

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists / 76.00% / 36.00% / ($112,280)

Chemical Engineers / 95.65% / 78.26% / ($112,100)

Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 55.56% / 32.13% / ($111,970)

Photonics Engineers / 52.38% / 34.79% / ($111,970)

Orthoptists / 85.71% / 53.57% / ($107,990)

Materials Scientists / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($106,160)

Materials Engineers / 52.38% / 38.09% / ($104,100)

Computer Systems Analysts / 41.93% / 31.42% / ($103,800)

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers / 88.47% / 46.16% / ($103,690)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 50.00% / 41.17% / ($101,800)

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers / 43.48% / 52.18% / ($100,730)

Environmental Engineers / 66.66% / 61.91% / ($100,090)

Computer Programmers / 88.04% / 40.18% / ($99,700)

Automotive Engineers / 71.43% / 38.09% / ($99,510)

Fuel Cell Engineers / 57.14% / 45.47% / ($99,510)

Manufacturing Engineers / 76.00% / 34.61% / ($99,380)

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / 50.00% / 45.00% / ($99,380)

Video Game Designers / 55.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)

Radiation Therapists / 37.54% / 42.76% / ($98,300)

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / 39.13% / 73.92% / ($96,370)

Transportation Engineers / 86.36% / 40.91% / ($95,890)

Water/Wastewater Engineers / 69.57% / 50.00% / ($95,890)

Transportation Planners / 55.00% / 35.00% / ($95,890)

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / 40.62% / 53.13% / ($92,580)

Intelligence Analysts / 73.92% / 30.43% / ($91,100)

Molecular and Cellular Biologists / 34.62% / 38.46% / ($91,100)

Geographers / 45.00% / 45.00% / ($90,880)

Hydrologists / 43.48% / 45.46% / ($88,770)

Agricultural Engineers / 75.00% / 35.00% / ($88,750)

Acute Care Nurses / 66.66% / 52.38% / ($86,070)

Registered Nurses / 55.92% / 37.83% / ($86,070)

Critical Care Nurses / 50.00% / 60.71% / ($86,070)

Microbiologists / 72.73% / 54.55% / ($85,470)

Web Developers / 50.00% / 33.33% / ($84,960)

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 44.97% / 30.56% / ($84,570)

Financial Examiners / 95.66% / 47.83% / ($84,300)

Operations Research Analysts / 42.85% / 40.00% / ($83,640)

Food Scientists and Technologists / 81.82% / 54.55% / ($82,090)

Chemical Plant and System Operators / 36.27% / 34.85% / ($80,030)

Online Merchants / 41.29% / 37.80% / ($79,590)

Credit Analysts / 95.00% / 30.00% / ($79,420)

Logistics Engineers / 73.91% / 39.14% / ($79,400)

Landscape Architects / 95.00% / 36.84% / ($79,320)

Insurance Underwriters / 73.33% / 40.00% / ($77,860)

Commercial and Industrial Designers / 67.92% / 32.87% / ($76,250)

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 31.50% / 56.99% / ($76,210)

Environmental Compliance Inspectors / 75.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Coroners / 50.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 39.34% / 49.63% / ($75,670)

Writers and Authors / 46.95% / 31.03% / ($73,690)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 52.12% / 30.60% / ($73,460)

Dietitians and Nutritionists / 63.33% / 30.00% / ($69,680)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 40.08% / 46.57% / ($69,260)

Conservation Scientists / 78.27% / 39.14% / ($68,750)

Park Naturalists / 49.75% / 56.05% / ($68,750)

Surveyors / 47.37% / 30.00% / ($68,540)

Adapted Physical Education Specialists / 71.43% / 76.18% / ($67,190)

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / 57.35% / 62.00% / ($66,620)

Special Education Teachers, Middle School / 82.51% / 53.04% / ($66,600)

Film and Video Editors / 65.10% / 32.92% / ($66,600)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 33.89% / 36.34% / ($65,630)

Special Education Teachers, Preschool / 63.43% / 60.73% / ($65,270)

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 84.73% / 71.18% / ($65,220)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 44.42% / 31.47% / ($65,130)

Forensic Science Technicians / 32.36% / 32.02% / ($64,940)

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / 88.24% / 62.40% / ($64,290)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School / 80.62% / 56.90% / ($63,860)

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education / 78.17% / 63.08% / ($63,680)

Music Therapists / 84.62% / 65.38% / ($63,650)

Real Estate Brokers / 45.33% / 36.44% / ($63,060)

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education / 86.20% / 75.61% / ($62,690)

Interior Designers / 84.00% / 40.00% / ($62,510)

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists / 88.03% / 43.28% / ($61,800)

Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 46.50% / 34.43% / ($60,970)

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors / 52.22% / 39.65% / ($60,560)

Fish and Game Wardens / 79.35% / 45.27% / ($60,380)

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 35.12% / 42.16% / ($59,300)

Computer User Support Specialists / 47.32% / 32.44% / ($59,240)

Insurance Sales Agents / 46.90% / 72.73% / ($59,080)

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 33.61% / 38.40% / ($58,530)

Recreational Therapists / 97.30% / 55.26% / ($57,120)

Interpreters and Translators / 54.72% / 35.52% / ($57,090)

Chemical Technicians / 43.74% / 47.59% / ($56,750)

Social Science Research Assistants / 54.32% / 46.58% / ($56,400)

Exercise Physiologists / 59.09% / 50.00% / ($54,860)

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians / 72.05% / 33.89% / ($54,000)

Child, Family, and School Social Workers / 68.66% / 36.21% / ($53,940)

Desktop Publishers / 38.70% / 45.93% / ($51,290)

Airfield Operations Specialists / 50.86% / 50.32% / ($51,140)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 68.18% / 68.18% / ($50,660)

Statistical Assistants / 61.28% / 36.94% / ($50,510)

Food Science Technicians / 32.33% / 67.10% / ($49,090)

Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 47.30% / 47.90% / ($48,790)

Cargo and Freight Agents / 30.75% / 74.53% / ($48,330)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 33.81% / 30.88% / ($47,710)

Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 38.26% / 36.81% / ($47,380)

Coaches and Scouts / 48.89% / 33.27% / ($45,910)

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 35.18% / 40.27% / ($44,890)

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 37.46% / 85.80% / ($44,490)

Rehabilitation Counselors / 55.86% / 55.52% / ($44,040)

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / 57.32% / 66.98% / ($43,750)

Precision Agriculture Technicians / 34.78% / 43.48% / ($43,180)

Social and Human Service Assistants / 40.46% / 60.58% / ($41,410)

Tutors / 40.91% / 72.73% / ($39,580)

Residential Advisors / 31.29% / 65.91% / ($37,950)

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 40.15% / 66.44% / ($37,380)

Recreation Workers / 61.96% / 40.14% / ($34,410)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Recreational Therapists.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Recreational Therapists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.

Recreational Therapists

Description: 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.

U.S. Total Employment (2023): 20,800	U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.): 23,000
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.): 2,200 (10.4%)	Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.): 1,900

Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Recreational Therapists":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
Importance: 97 (%)	Description: Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
Importance: 97 (%)	Description: Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
Importance: 97 (%)	Description: Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
Importance: 97 (%)	Description: 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.
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: 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.
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Develop discharge plans for patients.
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.

Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 97 (%)	Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 88 (%)	Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 87 (%)	Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 86 (%)	Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 74 (%)	Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Develop medical treatment plans.
Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.
Encourage patients or clients to develop life skills.
Gather medical information from patient histories.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Record patient medical histories.
Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
Treat patients using psychological therapies.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Importance: 89 (%)	Description: Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Importance: 87 (%)	Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 80 (%)	Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance) These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance) These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Importance: 58 (%)	Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?

Activity: Administer therapeutic treatments.

Activity: Advise patients or clients on medical issues.

Activity: Collect information about patients or clients.

Activity: Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient care.

Activity: Develop patient or client care or treatment plans.

Activity: Maintain health or medical records.

Activity: Monitor health conditions of humans or animals.

Activity: Prepare health or medical documents.

Activity: Provide support or encouragement to others.

Activity: Train others on health or medical topics.

Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?

High-Priority Tech Skills

Office suite software:

Microsoft Office software

Emerging Tech Skills

Electronic mail software:

Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software:

Microsoft Excel

Word processing software:

Microsoft Word

General Software Tools

Electronic mail software:

Email software

Internet browser software:

Web browser software

Medical software:

Patient electronic medical record EMR software

Music or sound editing software (scroll table below):

Avid Technology Sibelius

Hyperscore

MakeMusic Finale

Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software

Steinberg Cubase Pro

Voice recognition software:

Speech recognition software

Preparation Required

Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 91.9 (%)	Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 5.4 (%)	Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
Frequency of Attainment: 2.7 (%)	Level of Education: Master's Degree

Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 34.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 31.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 13.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 10.5 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 5.3 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 2.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 2.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

Local Salary Information

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Certifications

Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?

Activity Consultant Certified
Activity Director Certified
Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist
Certified Eating Disorders Creative Arts Therapist
Certified Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Driving Instructor Level II
Interactive Vaulting Certification
Master Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Music Therapist - Board Certified
Therapeutic Driving Instructor Level I

Professional Associations

Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?

American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA)
American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH)
National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT)
National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Inc. (NCTRC)

Job Listings

Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings

Recreational Therapists

Activities Coordinator

Activities Therapist

Activity Therapist

Adventure Therapist

Certified Recreational Therapist

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Creative Arts Therapist

Dance Therapist

Drama Therapist

Ecotherapist

General Activities Therapist

Horticultural Therapist

Life Enrichment Coordinator (LEC)

Lifestyle Director

Music Rehabilitation Therapist

Recreation Therapist

Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator

Recreational Therapy Technician

Rehabilitation Therapist

Therapeutic Mentor

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Therapeutic Specialist

Therapist

Related Careers to Consider

Related Careers to Consider This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Recreational Therapists" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Occupational Therapy Assistants
2 - Psychiatric Technicians
3 - Occupational Therapists
4 - Physical Therapist Assistants
5 - Occupational Therapy Aides
6 - Physical Therapists
7 - Physical Therapist Aides
8 - Rehabilitation Counselors
9 - Art Therapists
10 - Music Therapists
11 - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
12 - Psychiatric Aides
13 - Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
14 - Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
15 - Mental Health Counselors
16 - Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
17 - Psychiatrists
18 - Marriage and Family Therapists
19 - Clinical Nurse Specialists
20 - Massage Therapists

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Recreational Therapists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.

Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.

Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.

Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.

Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.

Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Recreational Therapists". Use these links to find a job.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Recreational Therapists". Use these links to find a job.

Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.

Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Recreational Therapists

Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...

LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.

Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Recreational Therapists" occupation.