Human edge, growing

Recreational therapists

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.

AI Resistance Index 90 of 99

Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 90% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.8% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and creative vision.

AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.

Median pay (2025): $61,960
Job growth to 2035: +4.8%
Openings a year: 1,400
People doing it (2025): 15,600
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Advise patients or clients on medical issues
Provide support or encouragement to others

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Develop patient or client care or treatment plans
Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient care
Train others on health or medical topics

What the work looks like

Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
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.
Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as payer restrictions around the types of rehabilitation therapies that can be provided in hospitals constrain demand for recreational therapists.
Fewer of these jobs, as funding constraints for recreational therapy services reduce demand for recreational therapists.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Coaches and scoutsHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
Orthotists and prosthetistsHuman edge, growing, Index 96, +12.9%
Occupational therapy assistantsHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +21.5%
Occupational health and safety specialistsHuman edge, growing, Index 93, +18.5%

Also known as: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Recreation Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Rehabilitation Therapist, Activities Coordinator, General Activities Therapist, Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.