Recreation Worker Salary in Des Moines, IA
Recreation Workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median $36,150 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,505 take-home, or $2,542 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Des Moines, IA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,158
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,241
- Medicare (1.45%)$524
- Iowa income tax$722
- Take-home pay$30,505
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.80% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Des Moines, IA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,860 | $13.39 | $24,146 | $2,012 |
| 25th percentile | $30,800 | $14.81 | $26,409 | $2,201 |
| Median (50th) | $36,150 | $17.38 | $30,505 | $2,542 |
| 75th percentile | $42,810 | $20.58 | $35,603 | $2,967 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 | $40,372 | $3,364 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Iowa resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,150 buys in Des Moines, IA
Prices in Des Moines, IA are 8.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,505 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,265 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 Des Moines, IA than nationally (location quotient 0.73), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Des Moines, IA ranks #8 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 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Des Moines, IA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $36,150 a year, or about $17.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,800 and $42,810.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Des Moines, IA?
On the median $36,150 salary, a single filer living in Iowa takes home about $30,505 a year ($2,542 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $722 in Iowa taxes in 2026.
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 8.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,265 would in a typical U.S. city. Des Moines, IA ranks #8 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Des Moines, IA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Des Moines, IA is $1,092 a month ($1,302 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Des Moines, IA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $38,700
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $35,640
- Animal Caretaker — $30,950
- Childcare Worker — $29,760
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,860