Recreation Worker Salary in Boston, MA
Recreation Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $38,770 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,613 take-home, or $2,634 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,472
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,404
- Medicare (1.45%)$562
- Massachusetts income tax$1,719
- Take-home pay$31,613
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,910 | $15.82 | $27,198 | $2,266 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 | $30,008 | $2,501 |
| Median (50th) | $38,770 | $18.64 | $31,613 | $2,634 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 | $36,842 | $3,070 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,580 | $24.32 | $40,512 | $3,376 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,770 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,613 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,200 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.5× 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
Boston, MA ranks #17 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 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $38,770 | $31,613 | $29,200 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Boston, MA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $38,770 a year, or about $18.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,640 and $45,710.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $38,770 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $31,613 a year ($2,634 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,719 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,200 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #17 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 86% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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