Recreational Therapists Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $61,790 +2.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.71
10th percentile $48,670
90th percentile $81,000
Employed locally 160
National median $60,280

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Recreational Therapists
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,670
    25th
    $51,520
    50th (median)
    $61,790
    75th
    $70,050
    90th
    $81,000

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Recreational Therapists salary vs area income 81% Median Recreational Therapists salary is 19% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $68,670
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $62,480
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $57,060
    Madison, WI $56,440
    Wisconsin $55,010
    Winston-Salem, NC $53,040

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $83,990
    Pharmacy Technicians $46,100
    Physicians, All Other $218,460
    Nurse Practitioners $129,760
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,320
    Dental Hygienists $82,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Recreational Therapists make per hour in Milwaukee?

    The median hourly wage for Recreational Therapists in Milwaukee, WI is $29.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.30 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee above or below average for Recreational Therapists salaries?

    The median Recreational Therapists salary in Milwaukee, WI is 2.5% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Recreational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $48,670 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,520.