Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace recreational therapists?AI replacement risk 14% and how the work is changing

United States Healthcare Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$61,960
25th–75th pct. $50,240–$79,930
Top pay (est.)
$130,500
Top 10% $100,420
Pay in 5 years
$72,900est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$85,800est.
$73,800–$99,600
Outlook score
68/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
14%
Very low
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.8%
1,400 openings / yr

Will AI replace Recreational Therapists? AI replacement risk

14%
Very low
Ranked #66 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Recreational Therapists

Key skills

Service Orientation
4.2
Social Perceptiveness
4.1
Active Listening
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Writing
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Coordination
3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Psychology
6.0
Therapy and Counseling
5.8
Customer and Personal Service
5.3
Education and Training
5.2
English Language
4.5
Sociology and Anthropology
4.1
Administration and Management
4.1
Administrative
3.7

What the work involves

Assisting and Caring for OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoaching and Developing Others

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
92%
Post-bachelor's certificate
5%
Master's degree
3%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
39%
6–12 months
21%
3–6 months
18%
1–3 months
11%
None / short demo
5%
1–2 years
5%

Related work experience

6–12 months
34%
1–2 years
32%
3–6 months
13%
2–4 years
11%
None
5%
4–6 years
3%
1–3 months
3%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.