Recreation Worker Salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Recreation Workers in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median $35,090 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,134 take-home, or $2,428 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Ann Arbor, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,031
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,176
- Medicare (1.45%)$509
- Michigan income tax$1,241
- Take-home pay$29,134
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Ann Arbor, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $29,134 | $2,428 |
| 25th percentile | $35,090 | $16.87 | $29,134 | $2,428 |
| Median (50th) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $29,134 | $2,428 |
| 75th percentile | $39,970 | $19.22 | $32,848 | $2,737 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,970 | $19.22 | $32,848 | $2,737 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,090 buys in Ann Arbor, MI
Prices in Ann Arbor, MI are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,134 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,880 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ann Arbor, MI has 6.8× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Ann Arbor, MI ranks #20 of 30 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,290 | $37,931 | $32,809 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $42,800 | $35,168 | $32,298 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $42,580 | $33,497 | $31,774 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $36,840 | $31,781 | $31,501 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $39,640 | $32,995 | $31,191 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $33,690 | $29,106 | $30,487 |
| 20 | Ann Arbor, MI | $35,090 | $29,134 | $28,880 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 30 metros →
About the job: recreation workers
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.3% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Michigan
- Detroit, MI — $34,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median recreation worker salary in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $35,090 a year, or about $16.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,090 and $39,970.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Ann Arbor, MI?
On the median $35,090 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $29,134 a year ($2,428 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,241 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Ann Arbor, MI a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,880 would in a typical U.S. city. Ann Arbor, MI ranks #20 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Ann Arbor, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Ann Arbor, MI is $1,387 a month ($1,656 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.