Recreation Worker Salary in Denver, CO
Recreation Workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $39,640 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,995 take-home, or $2,750 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,577
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,458
- Medicare (1.45%)$575
- Colorado income tax$1,036
- Take-home pay$32,995
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,680 | $15.23 | $26,949 | $2,246 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 | $29,615 | $2,468 |
| Median (50th) | $39,640 | $19.06 | $32,995 | $2,750 |
| 75th percentile | $43,080 | $20.71 | $35,608 | $2,967 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,820 | $24.43 | $41,486 | $3,457 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,640 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $32,995 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,191 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #7 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median recreation worker salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $39,640 a year, or about $19.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,190 and $43,080.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $39,640 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $32,995 a year ($2,750 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,036 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,191 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #7 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $50,580
- Childcare Worker — $44,320
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $38,380
- Animal Caretaker — $37,640
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $37,390
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,240