Recreational Therapists Salary in Grand Rapids, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

Median annual salary $53,940 -10.5% vs national
Median hourly $25.93
10th percentile $42,200
90th percentile $63,440
Employed locally 60
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Grand Rapids, MI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,200
    25th
    $46,420
    50th (median)
    $53,940
    75th
    $59,690
    90th
    $63,440

    Grand Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,296 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 67% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 33% 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
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $63,480
    Michigan $63,200

    Related occupations in Grand Rapids, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$80,900
    Physicians, All Other$224,260
    Pharmacy Technicians$45,430
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62,540
    Dental Hygienists$81,840
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$50,370

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Grand Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Grand Rapids, MI is $25.93, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.48 or more per hour.

    Is Grand Rapids above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Grand Rapids, MI is 10.5% below 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 Grand Rapids?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $42,200 per year in Grand Rapids, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,420.