Recreation Worker Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
Recreation Workers in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area earn a median $32,940 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,131 take-home, or $2,344 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Salt Lake City, UT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,773
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,042
- Medicare (1.45%)$478
- Utah income tax$516
- Take-home pay$28,131
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Salt Lake City, UT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,210 | $12.12 | $22,202 | $1,850 |
| 25th percentile | $31,230 | $15.01 | $26,834 | $2,236 |
| Median (50th) | $32,940 | $15.84 | $28,131 | $2,344 |
| 75th percentile | $38,080 | $18.31 | $32,030 | $2,669 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,220 | $21.74 | $37,445 | $3,120 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Utah resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,940 buys in Salt Lake City, UT
Prices in Salt Lake City, UT are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.23× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $28,131 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,889 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Salt Lake City, UT has 1.4× 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
Salt Lake City, UT ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,940 | $28,131 | $27,889 |
*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 Salt Lake City, UT?
The median recreation worker salary in the Salt Lake City-Murray, UT metro area is $32,940 a year, or about $15.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,230 and $38,080.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Salt Lake City, UT?
On the median $32,940 salary, a single filer living in Utah takes home about $28,131 a year ($2,344 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $516 in Utah taxes in 2026.
Is Salt Lake City, UT a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,889 would in a typical U.S. city. Salt Lake City, UT ranks #25 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Salt Lake City, UT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Salt Lake City, UT is $1,426 a month ($1,717 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 Salt Lake City, UT
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,520
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,590