Recreational Therapist salary in Michigan
Recreational Therapists in Michigan earn a median of $61,700 a year ($29.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,690 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $61,960. Michigan ranks 18th of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.13 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,860, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,270 | $20.32 |
| 25th percentile | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Median | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| 75th percentile | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,690 | $35.43 |
| Average (mean) | $60,860 | $29.26 |
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 | $5,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,373.08 |
| Weekly | $1,186.54 |
| Hourly | $29.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreational Therapist salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $70,960 | 110 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,600 | 230 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $55,340 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,300 | $45.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $155,480 | $74.75 |
| Pharmacist | $137,860 | $66.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,900 | $48.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,450 | $63.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,510 | $63.23 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,910 | $43.23 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,120 | $42.84 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $214,070 | $102.92 |
| Dentists, General | $169,930 | $81.70 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $247,010 | $118.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Michigan is $61,700 a year, or $29.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Michigan?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Michigan earn at least $73,690 a year. The top 25% earn $72,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,270 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $51,180 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Michigan?
About 590 recreational therapists are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.