Recreation Worker Salary in Denver, CO
Recreation Workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $39,640 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,995 take-home, or $2,750 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,577
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,458
- Medicare (1.45%)$575
- Colorado income tax$1,036
- Take-home pay$32,995
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,680 | $15.23 | $26,949 | $2,246 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 | $29,615 | $2,468 |
| Median (50th) | $39,640 | $19.06 | $32,995 | $2,750 |
| 75th percentile | $43,080 | $20.71 | $35,608 | $2,967 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,820 | $24.43 | $41,486 | $3,457 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,640 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $32,995 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,191 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #29 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 |
| 29 | Denver, CO | $39,640 | $32,995 | $31,191 |
*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 Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $37,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Denver, CO?
The median recreation worker salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $39,640 a year, or about $19.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,190 and $43,080.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $39,640 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $32,995 a year ($2,750 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,036 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,191 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #29 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 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 Denver, CO
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $57,660
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $57,190
- Skincare Specialist — $54,500
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $50,580
- Childcare Worker — $44,320
- Tour and Travel Guide — $43,370
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $38,380
- Animal Caretaker — $37,640
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $37,390
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,240
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $35,590