Recreational Therapists Salary in Detroit, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Median annual salary $63,480 +5.3% vs national
Median hourly $30.52
10th percentile $49,080
90th percentile $72,530
Employed locally 190
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Detroit, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,080
    25th
    $50,700
    50th (median)
    $63,480
    75th
    $69,590
    90th
    $72,530

    Detroit economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $75,123 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 85% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Recreational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $107,810
    Vallejo, CA $102,640
    Stockton-Lodi, CA $102,640
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $100,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,360
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,530

    Nearby metros — Recreational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Ann Arbor, MI $69,350
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $68,670
    Minnesota $67,300
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $66,000
    Michigan $63,200
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $61,790

    Related occupations in Detroit, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $88,980
    Physicians, All Other $72,370
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,610
    Pharmacists $136,540
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $65,030
    Nurse Practitioners $126,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Detroit?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Detroit, MI is $30.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.81 or more per hour.

    Is Detroit above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Detroit, MI is 5.3% above the national median of $60,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Recreational Therapists in Detroit?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $49,080 per year in Detroit, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,700.