Recreation Worker Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Recreation Workers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $30,570 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,871 take-home, or $2,156 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,488
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,895
- Medicare (1.45%)$443
- Indiana income tax$872
- Take-home pay$25,871
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Living in Indianapolis (Marion County)? City residents also pay Indianapolis (Marion County)’s County income tax — about $597 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $25,273 ($2,106 a month). Choose “Indianapolis (Marion County)” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,080 | $11.10 | $19,965 | $1,664 |
| 25th percentile | $25,540 | $12.28 | $21,918 | $1,827 |
| Median (50th) | $30,570 | $14.70 | $25,871 | $2,156 |
| 75th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,453 | $2,538 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,540 | $22.86 | $39,005 | $3,250 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,570 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,871 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,034 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #29 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 |
| 29 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,570 | $25,871 | $27,034 |
*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 Indianapolis, IN?
The median recreation worker salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $30,570 a year, or about $14.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,540 and $36,490.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $30,570 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $25,871 a year ($2,156 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $872 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,034 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #29 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- Childcare Worker — $30,650
- Animal Caretaker — $30,440
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,420