Recreational Therapist salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Recreational Therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $62,600 a year ($30.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $61,960. Pay here is 1% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $61,700. There are 0.12 recreational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,380, close to the median.
Pay range for recreational therapists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| 25th percentile | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Median | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| 75th percentile | $72,120 | $34.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| Average (mean) | $61,380 | $29.51 |
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 | $5,216.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,608.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,407.69 |
| Weekly | $1,203.85 |
| Hourly | $30.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,600 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $70,960 | 110 |
| 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Physicians, All Other | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Pharmacist | $137,770 | $66.24 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,390 | $64.61 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,830 | $63.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $89,600 | $43.08 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $181,990 | $87.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $89,640 | $43.09 |
| Dentists, General | $167,860 | $80.70 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $243,130 | $116.89 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, 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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for recreational therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $62,600 a year, or $30.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreational therapists make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of recreational therapists in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $74,490 a year. The top 25% earn $72,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreational therapists in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,440 a year, and a quarter of recreational therapists earn $51,180 or less.
How many recreational therapists work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 230 recreational therapists are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.