Recreation Worker Salary
Recreation Workers earn a median $36,560 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$36,560
$17.58 per hour
Range
$27,600 – $50,410
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
331,490
across the U.S.
▲3.3%
Pay trend: The median for recreation workers in the U.S. rose from $35,380 (May 2024) to $36,560 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.9%.
What recreation workers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 67,000
Employment of recreation workers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 67,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Recreation Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$31,556
per year · effective tax rate 13.7%
$2,630Monthly
$1,315Twice a month
$1,214Every 2 weeks
$15.17Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,207
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,267
- Medicare (1.45%)$530
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$31,556
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,600 | $13.27 | $24,339 |
| 25th percentile | $31,780 | $15.28 | $27,715 |
| Median (50th) | $36,560 | $17.58 | $31,556 |
| 75th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 | $37,108 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,410 | $24.24 | $42,684 |
Best cities for recreation workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 | 2,620 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 | 3,600 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,290 | $37,931 | $32,809 | 6,510 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $42,800 | $35,168 | $32,298 | 4,360 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $42,580 | $33,497 | $31,774 | 2,660 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $36,840 | $31,781 | $31,501 | 2,860 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $39,640 | $32,995 | $31,191 | 3,110 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $33,690 | $29,106 | $30,487 | 2,550 |
| 9 | Sacramento, CA | $38,820 | $32,325 | $30,304 | 2,810 |
| 10 | Orlando, FL | $35,490 | $30,696 | $30,267 | 2,640 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,180 | $31,634 | $30,178 | 4,960 |
| 12 | St. Louis, MO | $33,750 | $28,649 | $30,129 | 2,740 |
| 13 | San Diego, CA | $40,380 | $33,496 | $29,937 | 4,200 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $36,080 | $29,921 | $29,903 | 4,420 |
| 15 | Riverside, CA | $37,850 | $31,597 | $29,685 | 3,380 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,190 | $30,563 | $29,582 | 9,200 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $38,770 | $31,613 | $29,200 | 8,720 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $31,380 | $27,313 | $29,080 | 2,550 |
| 19 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,710 | $29,777 | $29,035 | 5,160 |
| 20 | Ann Arbor, MI | $35,090 | $29,134 | $28,880 | 3,190 |
| 21 | Detroit, MI | $34,400 | $28,609 | $28,524 | 3,350 |
| 22 | Los Angeles, CA | $38,790 | $32,303 | $28,444 | 17,850 |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $35,830 | $29,341 | $28,322 | 13,670 |
| 24 | New York, NY | $38,440 | $31,588 | $28,062 | 21,900 |
| 25 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,940 | $28,131 | $27,889 | 2,450 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $57,580
- San Francisco, CA — $46,290
- Seattle, WA — $45,990
- Washington, DC — $42,800
- Portland, OR — $42,580
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Denver, CO — $39,640
- Sacramento, CA — $38,820
- Los Angeles, CA — $38,790
- Boston, MA — $38,770
- New York, NY — $38,440
- Minneapolis, MN — $38,180
- Riverside, CA — $37,850
- Tampa, FL — $36,840
- Phoenix, AZ — $36,190
Recreation Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 | +1.5% | $37,889 | $37,990 – $66,750 | 470 |
| Washington | $44,890 | +2.4% | $38,249 | $35,660 – $59,790 | 6,380 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 | +2.2% | $36,144 | $32,390 – $60,470 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 | +25.7% | $33,485 | $31,690 – $45,270 | 1,590 |
| California | $39,780 | +5.9% | $33,046 | $35,900 – $56,150 | 48,560 |
| Oregon | $39,610 | +5.8% | $31,370 | $32,330 – $56,730 | 4,640 |
| Colorado | $38,820 | +4.6% | $32,372 | $31,080 – $53,580 | 6,100 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 | +4.3% | $31,440 | $32,910 – $50,090 | 11,280 |
| New York | $38,040 | +2.1% | $31,288 | $33,260 – $54,610 | 24,790 |
| Alaska | $37,510 | −5.8% | $32,319 | $36,720 – $66,140 | 630 |
| Minnesota | $37,510 | +0.0% | $31,131 | $29,460 – $52,190 | 7,940 |
| Maine | $37,450 | +4.3% | $30,891 | $30,790 – $53,620 | 1,260 |
| Vermont | $37,450 | +0.8% | $31,450 | $32,130 – $51,310 | 840 |
| North Dakota | $37,310 | −1.6% | $32,159 | $22,250 – $54,000 | 730 |
| Maryland | $37,200 | +8.8% | $30,667 | $32,390 – $56,160 | 4,350 |
| New Hampshire | $37,040 | +5.3% | $31,942 | $27,040 – $51,240 | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $36,880 | +3.2% | $31,240 | $32,220 – $49,240 | 7,550 |
| Connecticut | $36,610 | +3.1% | $30,874 | $34,010 – $51,340 | 5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,340 | +0.7% | $30,633 | $31,290 – $52,920 | 770 |
| Virginia | $36,120 | +2.4% | $29,940 | $27,390 – $53,800 | 9,260 |
| Arizona | $35,800 | +1.3% | $30,259 | $31,130 – $51,310 | 12,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,710 | +4.9% | $29,777 | $24,940 – $55,030 | 9,850 |
| Wisconsin | $35,530 | +4.8% | $29,946 | $26,440 – $50,980 | 6,840 |
| Florida | $35,490 | +4.2% | $30,696 | $29,130 – $49,130 | 18,010 |
| Illinois | $35,480 | +4.9% | $29,077 | $31,200 – $47,480 | 17,650 |
| Michigan | $35,090 | +4.7% | $29,134 | $29,020 – $47,740 | 10,850 |
| Montana | $35,090 | +5.3% | $29,482 | $29,070 – $50,020 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $34,590 | +14.9% | $29,279 | $28,520 – $46,500 | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $34,320 | +11.0% | $29,080 | $28,600 – $46,830 | 5,380 |
| Delaware | $33,790 | +8.3% | $28,132 | $31,200 – $44,930 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $33,700 | +10.6% | $28,629 | $24,420 – $46,740 | 2,870 |
| Tennessee | $33,580 | +6.2% | $29,162 | $23,960 – $46,550 | 3,420 |
| Utah | $32,890 | +5.9% | $28,093 | $22,520 – $47,450 | 5,760 |
| North Carolina | $32,720 | +3.3% | $27,674 | $22,060 – $50,810 | 9,520 |
| Texas | $32,720 | +4.6% | $28,471 | $22,910 – $47,870 | 18,660 |
| Georgia | $32,540 | +3.2% | $27,260 | $22,340 – $48,870 | 8,160 |
| Ohio | $32,420 | +4.5% | $28,120 | $24,580 – $47,220 | 12,340 |
| Kentucky | $32,400 | +4.2% | $27,197 | $22,770 – $46,120 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $31,900 | +1.2% | $27,400 | $26,510 – $52,960 | 870 |
| Kansas | $31,760 | +4.6% | $26,711 | $22,160 – $45,250 | 2,990 |
| Oklahoma | $31,580 | +3.0% | $26,679 | $21,330 – $47,390 | 2,380 |
| South Carolina | $31,420 | +0.2% | $26,698 | $21,050 – $48,230 | 5,270 |
| Wyoming | $30,720 | −1.5% | $26,864 | $25,720 – $49,300 | 790 |
| Indiana | $30,190 | +3.6% | $25,577 | $22,470 – $45,710 | 8,050 |
| Nevada | $30,150 | +3.5% | $26,406 | $26,930 – $50,220 | 2,570 |
| Idaho | $30,100 | +3.4% | $25,878 | $21,150 – $50,370 | 2,080 |
| West Virginia | $29,710 | +2.3% | $25,296 | $22,340 – $53,400 | 1,410 |
| Louisiana | $28,580 | +7.7% | $24,673 | $19,300 – $45,320 | 2,830 |
| Alabama | $28,360 | +3.8% | $23,811 | $19,150 – $45,110 | 4,700 |
| Mississippi | $28,060 | +3.2% | $24,327 | $19,350 – $40,710 | 2,220 |
| Arkansas | $27,770 | +4.7% | $23,608 | $23,700 – $42,530 | 1,740 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.3% |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.0% |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $41,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $36,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $36,300 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Baggage Porter and Bellhop | $37,080 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.0% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make?
The national median salary for recreation workers is $36,560 a year ($17.58 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,600 and the top 10% earn over $50,410. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays recreation workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $46,460. After taxes and local prices, San Jose, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many recreation workers are there in the U.S.?
About 331,490 people work as recreation workers nationwide.
All 30 cities
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC