Recreation Worker Salary in Bloomington, IL
Recreation Workers in the Bloomington, IL metro area earn a median $36,030 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,491 take-home, or $2,458 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Bloomington, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,144
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,234
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Illinois income tax$1,639
- Take-home pay$29,491
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Bloomington, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $31,290 | $15.04 | $25,917 | $2,160 |
| Median (50th) | $36,030 | $17.32 | $29,491 | $2,458 |
| 75th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 | $29,491 | $2,458 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,910 | $18.23 | $30,909 | $2,576 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,030 buys in Bloomington, IL
Prices in Bloomington, IL are 6.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,491 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,529 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bloomington, IL has 2.5× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Bloomington, IL ranks #19 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 19 | Bloomington, IL | $36,030 | $29,491 | $31,529 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Peoria, IL — $32,750
- Chicago, IL — $35,830
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Bloomington, IL?
The median recreation worker salary in the Bloomington, IL metro area is $36,030 a year, or about $17.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,290 and $36,030.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Bloomington, IL?
On the median $36,030 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,491 a year ($2,458 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,639 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Bloomington, IL a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 6.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,529 would in a typical U.S. city. Bloomington, IL ranks #19 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Bloomington, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bloomington, IL is $999 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Bloomington, IL
- Childcare Worker — $33,140