Recreational Therapist salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Recreational Therapists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $70,960 a year ($34.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,400 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 15% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $61,700. There are 0.49 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,400, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| 25th percentile | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Median | $70,960 | $34.12 |
| 75th percentile | $71,860 | $34.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Average (mean) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
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 | $5,913.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,956.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,729.23 |
| Weekly | $1,364.62 |
| Hourly | $34.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Recreational Therapist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $103,450 | $49.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $143,580 | $69.03 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,310 | $65.05 |
| Pharmacist | $166,350 | $79.98 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,980 | $51.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,900 | $44.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,950 | $46.13 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $69,690 | $33.50 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $91,020 | $43.76 |
| Dentists, General | $174,870 | $84.07 |
| Pediatricians, General | $81,550 | $39.21 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
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 Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $70,960 a year, or $34.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $72,400 a year. The top 25% earn $71,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,050 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $49,420 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 110 recreational therapists are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.