Recreational therapists held about 25,000 jobs in 2006. About 70 percent
were in nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals. Others worked
in State and local government agencies and in community care facilities for
the elderly, including assisted-living facilities. The rest worked primarily
in residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse
facilities; individual and family services; Federal Government agencies;
educational services; and outpatient care centers. Only a small number of
therapists were self-employed, generally contracting with long-term care
facilities or community agencies to develop and oversee programs.
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2008-09 Edition