Hospitals will provide a large number of jobs through the year 2005. A growing number of these will be in hospital based adult day care and outpatient programs, or in units offering short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Long-term rehabilitation and psychiatric hospitals will provide additional jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an increased need for therapeutic recreation specialists. The statistics indicate a shortage of qualified therapeutic recreation personnel and an increased demand for services.
Salary ranges for an entry-level position vary depending upon the setting and region of the country.
One of the most attractive features of the therapeutic recreation profession is the great opportunity for variety and diversity. There are constant challenges and the opportunity for continued professional growth. The changes in health care delivery which are occurring and will continue in the future have provided the profession with challenges and opportunities. It is an exciting and sometimes difficult time to be a therapeutic recreation specialist, but the opportunities are great. The opportunity to positively impact the quality of life of an individual with a disability or limitation is extremely rewarding.