Recreation Worker Salary in San Jose, CA
Recreation Workers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $57,580 a year — 57% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,193 take-home, or $3,849 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in San Jose, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,730
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,570
- Medicare (1.45%)$835
- California income tax$1,504
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$749
- Take-home pay$46,193
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in San Jose, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.25 | $33,248 | $2,771 |
| 25th percentile | $44,830 | $21.55 | $36,836 | $3,070 |
| Median (50th) | $57,580 | $27.68 | $46,193 | $3,849 |
| 75th percentile | $61,520 | $29.58 | $49,071 | $4,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,520 | $29.58 | $49,071 | $4,089 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,580 buys in San Jose, CA
Prices in San Jose, CA are 10.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $46,193 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,832 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 San Jose, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
San Jose, CA ranks #1 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.
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in California
- San Francisco, CA — $46,290
- Sacramento, CA — $38,820
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Riverside, CA — $37,850
- Los Angeles, CA — $38,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in San Jose, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $57,580 a year, or about $27.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,830 and $61,520.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in San Jose, CA?
On the median $57,580 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $46,193 a year ($3,849 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,253 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Jose, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 57% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 10.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,832 would in a typical U.S. city. San Jose, CA ranks #1 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in San Jose, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Jose, CA is $2,957 a month ($3,464 for two bedrooms) — 77% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Jose, CA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $62,010
- Childcare Worker — $45,720
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $42,850