Recreational Therapist salary in Wisconsin
Recreational Therapists in Wisconsin earn a median of $59,350 a year ($28.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $61,960. Wisconsin ranks 22nd of 48 states for recreational therapists pay. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Median | $59,350 | $28.54 |
| 75th percentile | $70,370 | $33.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Average (mean) | $62,180 | $29.89 |
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 | $4,945.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,472.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,282.69 |
| Weekly | $1,141.35 |
| Hourly | $28.54 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $73,980 | 150 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,950 | 130 |
| Madison, WI | $60,960 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Physicians, All Other | $391,740 | $188.34 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,840 | $48.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,980 | $63.45 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Dentists, General | $193,690 | $93.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,210 | $40.48 |
| Veterinarian | $108,780 | $52.30 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $290,640 | $139.73 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $367,160 | $176.52 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for recreational therapists in Wisconsin is $59,350 a year, or $28.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in Wisconsin earn at least $81,330 a year. The top 25% earn $70,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,650 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $52,470 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Wisconsin?
About 350 recreational therapists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.