Recreation Worker Salary in Tampa, FL
Recreation Workers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $36,840 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,781 take-home, or $2,648 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,241
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,284
- Medicare (1.45%)$534
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,781
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,370 | $14.12 | $25,779 | $2,148 |
| 25th percentile | $32,240 | $15.50 | $28,085 | $2,340 |
| Median (50th) | $36,840 | $17.71 | $31,781 | $2,648 |
| 75th percentile | $39,940 | $19.20 | $34,272 | $2,856 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,070 | $23.59 | $41,608 | $3,467 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,840 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,781 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,501 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 Tampa, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #6 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 Florida
- Orlando, FL — $35,490
- Miami, FL — $35,460
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Tampa, FL?
The median recreation worker salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $36,840 a year, or about $17.71 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,240 and $39,940.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $36,840 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $31,781 a year ($2,648 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,501 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #6 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,490
- Animal Caretaker — $34,490
- Childcare Worker — $33,530
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,520
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,660