Amusement and Recreation Attendant Salary in San Diego, CA
Amusement and Recreation Attendants in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $36,510 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,591 take-home, or $2,549 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median amusement and recreation attendant salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,201
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,264
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- California income tax$450
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$475
- Take-home pay$30,591
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Amusement and Recreation Attendant pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,840 | $16.75 | $29,338 | $2,445 |
| 25th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 | $29,818 | $2,485 |
| Median (50th) | $36,510 | $17.55 | $30,591 | $2,549 |
| 75th percentile | $37,690 | $18.12 | $31,477 | $2,623 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,470 | $21.86 | $37,316 | $3,110 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,510 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median amusement and recreation attendant's $30,591 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,341 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 1.5× the national concentration of amusement and recreation attendant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for amusement and recreation attendants, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #11 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $42,850 | $35,350 | $32,013 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $39,330 | $33,782 | $30,398 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $38,000 | $31,599 | $29,021 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $40,140 | $33,316 | $28,817 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $36,240 | $30,413 | $28,750 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $36,010 | $30,216 | $28,327 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $31,200 | $26,720 | $28,100 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $37,630 | $31,432 | $27,677 |
| 11 | San Diego, CA | $36,510 | $30,591 | $27,341 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: amusement and recreation attendants
Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Amusement and Recreation Attendant salaries elsewhere in California
- San Jose, CA — $42,850
- San Francisco, CA — $40,140
- Sacramento, CA — $36,010
- Los Angeles, CA — $37,630
- Riverside, CA — $34,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a amusement and recreation attendant make in San Diego, CA?
The median amusement and recreation attendant salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $36,510 a year, or about $17.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,480 and $37,690.
What is a amusement and recreation attendant’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $36,510 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $30,591 a year ($2,549 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $924 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a amusement and recreation attendant?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $32,150. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,341 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #11 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a amusement and recreation attendant afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 96% of a median amusement and recreation attendant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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