Amusement and Recreation Attendant Salary in Chicago, IL
Amusement and Recreation Attendants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $34,170 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,089 take-home, or $2,341 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median amusement and recreation attendant salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,920
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,119
- Medicare (1.45%)$495
- Illinois income tax$1,547
- Take-home pay$28,089
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 →
Amusement and Recreation Attendant pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| Median (50th) | $34,170 | $16.43 | $28,089 | $2,341 |
| 75th percentile | $36,480 | $17.54 | $29,831 | $2,486 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,480 | $18.98 | $32,093 | $2,674 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,170 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median amusement and recreation attendant's $28,089 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,114 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Amusement and Recreation Attendant jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for amusement and recreation attendants, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #12 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $42,850 | $35,350 | $32,013 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $39,330 | $33,782 | $30,398 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $38,000 | $31,599 | $29,021 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $40,140 | $33,316 | $28,817 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $36,240 | $30,413 | $28,750 |
| 6 | Sacramento, CA | $36,010 | $30,216 | $28,327 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $31,200 | $26,720 | $28,100 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $37,630 | $31,432 | $27,677 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $34,170 | $28,089 | $27,114 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: amusement and recreation attendants
Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a amusement and recreation attendant make in Chicago, IL?
The median amusement and recreation attendant salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $34,170 a year, or about $16.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,200 and $36,480.
What is a amusement and recreation attendant’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $34,170 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $28,089 a year ($2,341 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,547 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a amusement and recreation attendant?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $32,150. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,114 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #12 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a amusement and recreation attendant afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median amusement and recreation attendant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,680
- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Childcare Worker — $36,610
- Animal Caretaker — $36,110
- Recreation Worker — $35,830
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,000
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,260
- Gambling Dealer — $31,200