Recreation Worker Salary in Charlotte, NC
Recreation Workers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $31,580 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,803 take-home, or $2,234 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,610
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,958
- Medicare (1.45%)$458
- North Carolina income tax$751
- Take-home pay$26,803
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,050 | $10.12 | $18,614 | $1,551 |
| 25th percentile | $25,060 | $12.05 | $21,756 | $1,813 |
| Median (50th) | $31,580 | $15.18 | $26,803 | $2,234 |
| 75th percentile | $39,750 | $19.11 | $33,042 | $2,753 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,810 | $24.43 | $41,487 | $3,457 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,580 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $26,803 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,533 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 Charlotte, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #102 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 |
| 102 | Charlotte, NC | $31,580 | $26,803 | $27,533 |
*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 North Carolina
- Winston, NC — $32,920
- Greensboro, NC — $30,550
- Durham, NC — $31,720
- Raleigh, NC — $30,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Charlotte, NC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $31,580 a year, or about $15.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,060 and $39,750.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $31,580 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $26,803 a year ($2,234 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $751 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,533 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #102 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 64% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $51,080
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,540
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,420
- Residential Advisor — $39,520
- Skincare Specialist — $39,120
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,530
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $34,950
- Animal Caretaker — $33,530
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,720
- Childcare Worker — $30,390
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,900