Recreation Worker Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Recreation Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $29,880 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,149 take-home, or $2,179 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,406
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,853
- Medicare (1.45%)$433
- Ohio income tax$39
- Take-home pay$26,149
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,250 | $13.10 | $24,050 | $2,004 |
| 25th percentile | $29,510 | $14.19 | $25,862 | $2,155 |
| Median (50th) | $29,880 | $14.37 | $26,149 | $2,179 |
| 75th percentile | $36,340 | $17.47 | $31,162 | $2,597 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,310 | $22.26 | $38,899 | $3,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,880 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $26,149 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,419 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 about as common in Cincinnati, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #106 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 |
| 106 | Cincinnati, OH | $29,880 | $26,149 | $27,419 |
*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 Ohio
- Dayton, OH — $33,130
- Columbus, OH — $33,690
- Akron, OH — $32,540
- Toledo, OH — $30,550
- Cleveland, OH — $31,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median recreation worker salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $29,880 a year, or about $14.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,510 and $36,340.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $29,880 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $26,149 a year ($2,179 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $39 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,419 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #106 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $46,610
- Skincare Specialist — $43,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $42,130
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,850
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,150
- Animal Caretaker — $30,540
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,350
- Childcare Worker — $30,150
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,650