Recreational therapists plan, direct and coordinate recreation-based treatment for people with disabilities, injuries or illnesses. They use activities such as games, arts, sports and community outings to help patients recover and stay independent. AI can help with notes and planning. The therapy itself happens in person.
The short answer: this is hands-on care, and the BLS expects growth. The ILO's 2025 index rates health professionals not elsewhere classified, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.20. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent growth for recreational therapists from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 1,400 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed recreational therapists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Professionals Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.20 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for recreational therapists, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational therapists | Grow 5% | About 1,400 |
The BLS points to psychiatric facilities that use recreational therapy in treatment for mental illness or addiction, and to an aging population that will need help keeping its abilities and independence. It notes that funding in some settings, such as nursing homes, may dampen demand. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting session notes and progress reports.
- Planning activity schedules and group programs.
- Finding ideas to adapt activities to different abilities.
What stays with recreational therapists
- Assessment: working out what each patient needs and can do.
- Leading sessions: running activities and adjusting them on the spot.
- Motivation: encouraging patients through a hard recovery.
- Checking AI help: generated notes and plans can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Help with paperwork can free up time for patients. Health information is sensitive, so therapists follow their employer's rules on which AI tools they may use. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace occupational therapists?, will AI replace physical therapists? and will AI replace recreation workers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for recreational therapists at $61,960 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace recreational therapists?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 5 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
How exposed are recreational therapists to AI?
The ILO rates health professionals not elsewhere classified, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.20.
How many openings are expected?
About 1,400 a year on average over the decade, according to the BLS.
What drives demand for recreational therapists?
The BLS points to psychiatric facilities and an aging population, while funding in some settings may dampen demand.