Recreation Worker Salary in Kalamazoo, MI
Recreation Workers in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median $33,510 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,932 take-home, or $2,328 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Kalamazoo, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,841
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,078
- Medicare (1.45%)$486
- Michigan income tax$1,173
- Take-home pay$27,932
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Kalamazoo, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,360 | $12.67 | $22,448 | $1,871 |
| 25th percentile | $30,140 | $14.49 | $25,367 | $2,114 |
| Median (50th) | $33,510 | $16.11 | $27,932 | $2,328 |
| 75th percentile | $36,620 | $17.61 | $30,299 | $2,525 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,250 | $23.20 | $39,149 | $3,262 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,510 buys in Kalamazoo, MI
Prices in Kalamazoo, MI are 5.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 18% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $27,932 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,452 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Kalamazoo, MI has 1.7× 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
Kalamazoo, MI ranks #73 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 |
| 73 | Kalamazoo, MI | $33,510 | $27,932 | $29,452 |
*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
- Grand Rapids, MI — $35,970
- Ann Arbor, MI — $35,090
- Detroit, MI — $34,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median recreation worker salary in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $33,510 a year, or about $16.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,140 and $36,620.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Kalamazoo, MI?
On the median $33,510 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $27,932 a year ($2,328 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,173 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Kalamazoo, MI a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,452 would in a typical U.S. city. Kalamazoo, MI ranks #73 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Kalamazoo, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kalamazoo, MI is $998 a month ($1,162 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.