Recreation Worker Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Recreation Workers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median $35,970 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,804 take-home, or $2,484 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Grand Rapids, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,136
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,230
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Michigan income tax$1,278
- Take-home pay$29,804
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Grand Rapids, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,060 | $13.49 | $23,776 | $1,981 |
| 25th percentile | $31,020 | $14.91 | $26,037 | $2,170 |
| Median (50th) | $35,970 | $17.29 | $29,804 | $2,484 |
| 75th percentile | $45,660 | $21.95 | $37,178 | $3,098 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,760 | $26.33 | $44,103 | $3,675 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,970 buys in Grand Rapids, MI
Prices in Grand Rapids, MI are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,804 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,193 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are less concentrated in Grand Rapids, MI than nationally (location quotient 0.67), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Grand Rapids, MI ranks #28 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 28 | Grand Rapids, MI | $35,970 | $29,804 | $31,193 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Michigan
- Kalamazoo, MI — $33,510
- Ann Arbor, MI — $35,090
- Detroit, MI — $34,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median recreation worker salary in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $35,970 a year, or about $17.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,020 and $45,660.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Grand Rapids, MI?
On the median $35,970 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $29,804 a year ($2,484 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,278 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,193 would in a typical U.S. city. Grand Rapids, MI ranks #28 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Grand Rapids, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Grand Rapids, MI is $1,242 a month ($1,479 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids, MI
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,740
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $35,900
- Childcare Worker — $31,690
- Animal Caretaker — $29,630
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,070