Recreation Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Recreation Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $42,800 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,168 take-home, or $2,931 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$2,956
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,654
- Medicare (1.45%)$621
- District of Columbia income tax$1,402
- Take-home pay$35,168
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,910 | $15.82 | $27,815 | $2,318 |
| 25th percentile | $36,420 | $17.51 | $30,424 | $2,535 |
| Median (50th) | $42,800 | $20.58 | $35,168 | $2,931 |
| 75th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 | $40,462 | $3,372 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,000 | $29.81 | $49,414 | $4,118 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $35,168 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,298 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 less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.65), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #4 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 Washington, DC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $42,800 a year, or about $20.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,420 and $49,920.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $42,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $35,168 a year ($2,931 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,402 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,298 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #4 of 30 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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