Median pay: $42,300
Top pay: $53,500
10-year job growth: 15%
Total jobs: 20,000
The job:
Recreation therapists get people with disabilities, injuries or illnesses to engage with the world again through art, music and sports. They work in private, commercial, clinical or community settings. The job requires creativity and persistence, but it's gratifying when you see people move away from what they lost and focus on the abilities they do have. Says Shawna Hill, a recreation therapist who works with veterans: "To see empowerment in the individual is what keeps you going."
How to switch:
You need an undergraduate degree with coursework in therapeutic recreation. Certification, which involves a knowledge-based written exam and completion of supervised work experience, will make you a more attractive candidate. Learn more at nctrc.org.
Quality of life ratings:
| Personal satisfaction |
Benefit to society |
Low stress |
Flexibility |
| B |
A |
C |
B |
By Donna Rosato and Grace Wong
Subscribe to Money Magazine
