Recreation Worker Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Recreation Workers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $38,790 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,303 take-home, or $2,692 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,475
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,405
- Medicare (1.45%)$562
- California income tax$541
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$504
- Take-home pay$32,303
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,100 | $17.36 | $30,284 | $2,524 |
| 25th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 | $31,274 | $2,606 |
| Median (50th) | $38,790 | $18.65 | $32,303 | $2,692 |
| 75th percentile | $44,510 | $21.40 | $36,595 | $3,050 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,790 | $23.46 | $39,772 | $3,314 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,790 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $32,303 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,444 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.3× 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
Los Angeles, CA ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $38,790 | $32,303 | $28,444 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $57,580
- San Francisco, CA — $46,290
- Sacramento, CA — $38,820
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Riverside, CA — $37,850
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $38,790 a year, or about $18.65 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,420 and $44,510.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $38,790 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $32,303 a year ($2,692 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,045 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,444 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #22 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 83% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Los Angeles, CA
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- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $56,280
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $51,870
- Residential Advisor — $45,240
- Concierge — $43,560
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,500
- Tour and Travel Guide — $42,870
- Childcare Worker — $39,890
- Animal Caretaker — $38,520
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $37,870
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $37,630
- Skincare Specialist — $37,560