Recreational Therapists
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 138 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 55% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
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.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Therapists, All Other
Very similar work+19% pay246 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 19% more—$80,166 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Social Perceptiveness
New skills to build
- Fine Arts
- Sociology and Anthropology
Occupational Therapists
Very similar work+47% pay877 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 47% more—$99,085 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Physicians, All Other
Very similar work+270% pay528 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 270% more—$249,284 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Science
- Chemistry
- Judgment and Decision Making
Physical Therapists
Very similar work+54% pay1,011 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 54% more—$103,479 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Physics
Registered Nurses
Similar work+67% pay14,445 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 67% more—$112,504 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- English Language
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Judgment and Decision Making
Physical Therapist Assistants
Similar workslightly less pay880 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$65,719 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Active Listening
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Similar work+4% pay521 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 4% more—$70,270 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Oral Comprehension
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Somewhat similar work+21% pay1,883 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 21% more—$81,604 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Social Perceptiveness
New skills to build
- Oral Comprehension
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
Somewhat similar work+75% pay598 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 75% more—$117,602 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Social Perceptiveness
New skills to build
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
Massage Therapists
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay1,434 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$64,212 vs your $67,350 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Speaking
- Oral Expression
- Psychology
New skills to build
- Dynamic Strength
- Manual Dexterity
- Biology
- Extent Flexibility