Recreational Therapist salary in Madison, WI
Recreational Therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $60,960 a year ($29.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,350. There are 0.09 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| 25th percentile | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Median | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| 75th percentile | $75,600 | $36.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,730 | $40.74 |
| Average (mean) | $65,460 | $31.47 |
Half of recreational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,344.62 |
| Weekly | $1,172.31 |
| Hourly | $29.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,980 | 150 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,950 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for recreational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,170 |
| District of Columbia | $95,640 |
| New Hampshire | $82,280 |
| Nevada | $78,730 |
| Washington | $77,860 |
| Minnesota | $76,360 |
| Colorado | $66,580 |
| Oregon | $66,530 |
| New York | $65,520 |
| Hawaii | $64,500 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1125. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreational therapist make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Madison, WI metro area is $60,960 a year, or $29.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $84,730 a year. The top 25% earn $75,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,280 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $53,890 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Madison, WI?
About 40 recreational therapists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.