Recreation Worker Salary in Boston, MA
Recreation Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $38,770 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,613 take-home, or $2,634 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,472
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,404
- Medicare (1.45%)$562
- Massachusetts income tax$1,719
- Take-home pay$31,613
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,910 | $15.82 | $27,198 | $2,266 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 | $30,008 | $2,501 |
| Median (50th) | $38,770 | $18.64 | $31,613 | $2,634 |
| 75th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 | $36,842 | $3,070 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,580 | $24.32 | $40,512 | $3,376 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,770 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,613 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,200 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.5× 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
Boston, MA ranks #81 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 |
| 81 | Boston, MA | $38,770 | $31,613 | $29,200 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $37,500
- Worcester, MA — $37,950
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Boston, MA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $38,770 a year, or about $18.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,640 and $45,710.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $38,770 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $31,613 a year ($2,634 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,719 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,200 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #81 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 86% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $65,190
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $58,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $53,740
- Residential Advisor — $48,830
- Funeral Attendant — $48,110
- Skincare Specialist — $47,480
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $43,090
- Animal Trainer — $42,180
- Childcare Worker — $41,590
- Animal Caretaker — $39,850
- Tour and Travel Guide — $38,440
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,430