Recreation Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Recreation Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,830 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,341 take-home, or $2,445 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,120
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,221
- Medicare (1.45%)$520
- Illinois income tax$1,629
- Take-home pay$29,341
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $32,810 | $15.77 | $27,064 | $2,255 |
| Median (50th) | $35,830 | $17.23 | $29,341 | $2,445 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | $33,691 | $2,808 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,130 | $23.14 | $38,615 | $3,218 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,830 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,341 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,322 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $35,830 | $29,341 | $28,322 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median recreation worker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,830 a year, or about $17.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,810 and $41,600.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,830 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,341 a year ($2,445 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,629 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,322 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #23 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Childcare Worker — $36,610
- Animal Caretaker — $36,110
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,000
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,260
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $34,170
- Gambling Dealer — $31,200