U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Health and Human Services / Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist

Job-title file

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Federal Government

Assess client needs, develop service plans, and connect people with support resources.

18 employees hold this title in Department of Health and Human Services. Median total compensation for the role is $100,605, below the department median of $138,024.

Employees: 18
Total payroll: $1.8M
Role median: $100,605
Agency median: $138,024
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$88,296$135,620+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 18 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist is held in 3 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Health and Human Services, the median of $100,605 ranks #1 of 3.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Veterans Affairs

$92,107 · 1,250

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$77,771 · 5

Median total compensation for the Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Health and Human Services

Accounting 506
Administration and Office Support Student Trainee 253
Administrative Officer 1,329
Auditing 731
Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering 348
Budget Analysis 1,016
Chemistry 1,836
Computer Science 323
Consumer Safety 3,650
Contact Representative 303
Contracting 1,572
Custodial Working 590
Dental Assistant 451
Dental Officer 334
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 266
Economist 258
Emergency Management Specialist 392
Financial Administration and Program 644
General Arts and Information 1,115
General Attorney 1,268
General Business and Industry 489
General Engineering 674
General Health Science 10,805
General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences 5,921
Government Information Specialist 247
Grants Management 1,153
Health Aid and Technician 1,593
Health Insurance Administration 3,208
Health System Specialist 275
Human Resources Management 1,522
Information Technology Management 4,291
Maintenance Mechanic 453
Management and Program Analysis 6,132
Mathematical Statistics 703
Medical Officer 5,766
Medical Records Technician 662
Medical Support Assistance 1,280
Medical Technologist 494
Microbiology 1,222
Miscellaneous Administration and Program 7,606
Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant 1,088
Nurse 5,225
Nursing Assistant 390
Pharmacist 1,242
Pharmacology 719
Pharmacy Technician 448
Physician Assistant 253
Program Management 391
Psychology 279
Public Affairs 396
Public Health Program Specialist 4,930
Secretary 257
Security Administration 398
Security Guard 328
Social Science 2,526
Statistics 561
Technical Information Services 259
Toxicology 270
Training Instruction 246
Veterinary Medical Science 346

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Donna Gregory

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$149,422

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $149,422
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $149,422
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $149,422
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $112,128
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 16
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Donna Gregory works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Donna earned $149,422 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Karen Perkins

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2025 total comp

$108,829

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $107,829
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,829
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $107,829
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $107,829
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 33
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

At Department of Health and Human Services, Karen Perkins serves as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist based in Bethesda, Maryland. Their 2025 pay totaled $108,829. They are classified at grade 02.

Kristin Johnsen

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$108,238

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $108,238
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $108,238
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $108,238
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $80,811
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 35
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Kristin Johnsen is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2026 total compensation came to $108,238. They are classified at grade 11.

Kathryn Elokdah

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$107,089

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $105,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $107,089
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,389
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,684
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Kathryn Elokdah works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Kathryn earned $107,089 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Laura Herbert

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$105,389

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $105,389
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $105,389
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $105,389
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,684
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 25
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Laura Herbert works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Laura earned $105,389 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Linda Scimeca

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2025 total comp

$104,337

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $104,337
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $104,337
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: S

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $104,337
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $77,898
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 42
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Linda Scimeca is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2025 total compensation came to $104,337. They are classified at grade 11.

Robin Greenfield

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2025 total comp

$102,491

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $101,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $102,491
Pay grade: 02
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $101,491
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $101,491
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 28
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Robin Greenfield works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Robin earned $102,491 in 2025. Their pay grade is 02.

Taylor Watson

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$101,692

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $99,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,000
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,692
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: Louis

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,692
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,430
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Taylor Watson works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Taylor earned $101,692 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Whitney Wilson

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2025 total comp

$101,517

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $101,517
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $101,517
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: B

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $101,517
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $75,793
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Whitney Wilson works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Whitney earned $101,517 in 2025. Their pay grade is 11.

Stefan Ellington

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$99,692

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $99,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,692
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,692
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,430
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

At Department of Health and Human Services, Stefan Ellington serves as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist based in Bethesda, Maryland. Their 2026 pay totaled $99,692. They are classified at grade 11.

Sarah Thuermer

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$99,692

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $99,692
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $99,692
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $99,692
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,430
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 7
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Sarah Thuermer is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2026 total compensation came to $99,692. They are classified at grade 11.

Matthew Lennon

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$98,853

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $98,853
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,853
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Salem
Work state: Oregon
Middle name: Bryan Joseph

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $98,853
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE37
Basic Pay (before locality): $78,667
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Duty Station State: OR
Length of Service (Years): 0
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Matthew Lennon works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Salem, Oregon. Matthew earned $98,853 in 2024. Their pay grade is 11.

Amber Zoerman

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$98,543

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $96,843
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,700
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,543
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: Leigh

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,843
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $72,303
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Amber Zoerman works as a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist for Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. Amber earned $98,543 in 2026. Their pay grade is 11.

Diana Morrow

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$96,561

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $96,561
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $96,561
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Salem
Work state: Oregon
Middle name: K

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $96,561
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE37
Basic Pay (before locality): $76,557
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Duty Station State: OR
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Diana Morrow is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Salem, Oregon. 2026 total compensation came to $96,561. They are classified at grade 11.

Amber Moore

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2024 total comp

$93,539

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $91,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,500
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $93,539
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: Leigh

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $91,039
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $68,317
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 2
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Amber Moore holds the role of Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2024, their total compensation was $93,539. Their pay grade is 11.

Allison Huck

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$89,596

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $88,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,300
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $89,596
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,296
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,922
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Allison Huck holds the role of Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. In 2026, their total compensation was $89,596. Their pay grade is 11.

Debra Irizarry

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$88,513

Sub-department: Indian Health Service
Base pay: $88,513
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,513
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Salem
Work state: Oregon
Middle name: E

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,513
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE37
Basic Pay (before locality): $70,176
Duty Station Code: 411810047
Duty Station State: OR
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Debra Irizarry is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Salem, Oregon. 2026 total compensation came to $88,513. They are classified at grade 11.

Elizabeth Cavey

Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist/Department of Health and Human Services

2026 total comp

$88,296

Sub-department: National Institutes of Health
Base pay: $88,296
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,296
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Bethesda
Work state: Maryland
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $88,296
Agency Code (OPM): HE
Agency Sub-element Code (OPM): HE38
Basic Pay (before locality): $65,922
Duty Station Code: 240130031
Duty Station State: MD
Length of Service (Years): 4
Occupation Code (OPM): 0638

Elizabeth Cavey is a Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist at Department of Health and Human Services based in Bethesda, Maryland. 2026 total compensation came to $88,296. They are classified at grade 11.