Recreation Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Recreation Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $35,830 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,341 take-home, or $2,445 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,120
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,221
- Medicare (1.45%)$520
- Illinois income tax$1,629
- Take-home pay$29,341
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.
Recreation Worker 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 | $32,810 | $15.77 | $27,064 | $2,255 |
| Median (50th) | $35,830 | $17.23 | $29,341 | $2,445 |
| 75th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | $33,691 | $2,808 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,130 | $23.14 | $38,615 | $3,218 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,830 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 recreation worker's $29,341 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,322 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #91 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 |
| 91 | Chicago, IL | $35,830 | $29,341 | $28,322 |
*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
- Bloomington, IL — $36,030
- Peoria, IL — $32,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Chicago, IL?
The median recreation worker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,830 a year, or about $17.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,810 and $41,600.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $35,830 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,341 a year ($2,445 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,629 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,322 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #91 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker 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) — 63% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers — $81,440
- First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers — $68,260
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $49,240
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,680
- Animal Trainer — $46,890
- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Residential Advisor — $44,320
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $40,390
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants — $38,990
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $38,100
- Concierge — $37,440