Recreation Worker Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Recreation Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $29,880 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,149 take-home, or $2,179 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,406
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,853
- Medicare (1.45%)$433
- Ohio income tax$39
- Take-home pay$26,149
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Living in Cincinnati? City residents also pay Cincinnati’s city income tax — about $538 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $25,611 ($2,134 a month). Choose “Cincinnati” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, 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 Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,250 | $13.10 | $24,050 | $2,004 |
| 25th percentile | $29,510 | $14.19 | $25,862 | $2,155 |
| Median (50th) | $29,880 | $14.37 | $26,149 | $2,179 |
| 75th percentile | $36,340 | $17.47 | $31,162 | $2,597 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,310 | $22.26 | $38,899 | $3,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,880 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $26,149 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,419 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 about as common in Cincinnati, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #28 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 |
| 28 | Cincinnati, OH | $29,880 | $26,149 | $27,419 |
*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.
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Columbus, OH — $33,690
- Cleveland, OH — $31,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median recreation worker salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $29,880 a year, or about $14.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,510 and $36,340.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $29,880 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $26,149 a year ($2,179 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $39 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,419 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #28 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,790
- Childcare Worker — $30,150
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,650