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Therapist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Recreation therapists work with people with illness or disability. Clients’ challenges may be physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, or social. They use recreation and other leisure-based interventions to help their clients recover or maintain healthy, balanced lifestyles. Recreation therapists choose activities and programs that meet clients’ health goals based on what the client enjoys and finds rewarding.
Recreation therapists develop and facilitate evidence-based programs that may include sports, art, music, and other activities. They:
Recreation therapists work alongside clients, families, friends, and other supports such as caregivers. Their goal is to help clients reach their leisure goals and maximize their independence and quality of life. They may work as members of a health-care team with:
As part of this team, recreation therapists:
Recreation therapists may work wherever recreation or leisure pursuits take place. As a result, working conditions vary. They may work in:
Recreation therapists may work shifts, including evenings and weekends.
They may have to take part in activities that require above-average strength and stamina.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in mentoring patients by providing treatment and advising them on how to deal with their mental and physical abilities; and in consulting with other health care professionals to evaluate treatment plans
Interest in co-ordinating, initiating, designing and implementing specialized therapy programs for the general patient population and in the community; may conduct research in respective field of specialization
Interest in operating - manipulating equipment and following procedures to implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing techniques such as art, athletic, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics; and in observing and analyzing patients during treatment sessions
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Recreation therapists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 65 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and May 14, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 26 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs | 26 |
| Tasks: Prepare a treatment plan for each patient | 26 |
| Tasks: Implement treatment plans | 26 |
| Tasks: Observe and analyze patients during treatment sessions | 26 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 25 |
| Attention to detail | 25 |
| Tasks: Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 25 |
| Work Setting: Urban area | 24 |
| Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation | 23 |
Generally, employers require a 4-year degree in recreation therapy or therapeutic recreation and professional membership with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association.
Employers also may require applicants to have:
Those with less than a 4-year degree in recreation therapy or therapeutic recreation may be hired as recreation therapy assistants.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Additional information about education related to recreation therapy is available from the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta. However, most employers in Alberta require recreation therapists to be professional members of the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association.
In addition, the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association endorses the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential. This is offered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Registration with these organizations is voluntary. To learn about registration requirements, visit the organization’s website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Recreation therapists work for:
They may also work in their own private practices. Advancement opportunities vary depending on the organization and the therapist’s academic and professional qualifications.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3144
84.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.50 | $37.85 | $30.64 | $35.81 |
| Overall | $19.50 | $49.80 | $37.38 | $43.13 |
| Top | $20.91 | $50.33 | $40.81 | $47.67 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $64,143 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,833 |
| Public Administration | $73,071 |
Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) website: www.alberta-tr.ca
Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA) website: canadian-tr.org/
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: hsaa.ca
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) website: www.nctrc.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
