Recreation Worker Salary in Riverside, CA
Recreation Workers in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $37,850 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,597 take-home, or $2,633 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,362
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,347
- Medicare (1.45%)$549
- California income tax$503
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$492
- Take-home pay$31,597
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 Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $29,526 | $2,460 |
| 25th percentile | $36,310 | $17.46 | $30,441 | $2,537 |
| Median (50th) | $37,850 | $18.20 | $31,597 | $2,633 |
| 75th percentile | $44,680 | $21.48 | $36,723 | $3,060 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,780 | $23.93 | $40,495 | $3,375 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,850 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,597 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,685 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 Riverside, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Riverside, CA ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Riverside, CA | $37,850 | $31,597 | $29,685 |
*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
- Los Angeles, CA — $38,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Riverside, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $37,850 a year, or about $18.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,310 and $44,680.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $37,850 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $31,597 a year ($2,633 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $995 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,685 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #15 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 67% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,450
- Childcare Worker — $40,210
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,200
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $34,990
- Gambling Dealer — $34,560