Recreation Worker Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Recreation Workers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $35,710 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,777 take-home, or $2,481 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,105
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,214
- Medicare (1.45%)$518
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,096
- Take-home pay$29,777
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Living in Philadelphia? City residents also pay Philadelphia’s Resident Wage Tax — about $1,336 a year on this salary — which lowers take-home pay to $28,441 ($2,370 a month). Choose “Philadelphia” under City income tax in the calculator. Suburban residents usually don’t pay it.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. 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 Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,530 | $14.20 | $25,001 | $2,083 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,080 | $2,257 |
| Median (50th) | $35,710 | $17.17 | $29,777 | $2,481 |
| 75th percentile | $42,940 | $20.64 | $35,364 | $2,947 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,230 | $26.55 | $44,862 | $3,738 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,710 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,777 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,035 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 Philadelphia, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #19 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 |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,710 | $29,777 | $29,035 |
*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 Philadelphia, PA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $35,710 a year, or about $17.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,220 and $42,940.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $35,710 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $29,777 a year ($2,481 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,096 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,035 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #19 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
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- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,040
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,320
- Animal Caretaker — $34,970
- Childcare Worker — $34,520
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $32,220
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $31,200