Recreation Worker Salary in Portland, OR
Recreation Workers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median $42,580 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,497 take-home, or $2,791 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Portland, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,930
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,640
- Medicare (1.45%)$617
- Oregon income tax$2,896
- Take-home pay$33,497
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro spans Oregon, Washington. 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 Portland, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,250 | $16.95 | $28,249 | $2,354 |
| 25th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 | $30,246 | $2,521 |
| Median (50th) | $42,580 | $20.47 | $33,497 | $2,791 |
| 75th percentile | $49,780 | $23.93 | $38,652 | $3,221 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,940 | $28.34 | $45,211 | $3,768 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,580 buys in Portland, OR
Prices in Portland, OR are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $33,497 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,774 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 Portland, OR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, OR ranks #5 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 Portland, OR?
The median recreation worker salary in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $42,580 a year, or about $20.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,040 and $49,780.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Portland, OR?
On the median $42,580 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $33,497 a year ($2,791 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,896 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,774 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, OR ranks #5 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Portland, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, OR is $1,677 a month ($1,922 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, OR
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $59,570
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $41,600
- Childcare Worker — $39,590