Recreation Worker Salary in Durham, NC
Recreation Workers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $31,720 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,910 take-home, or $2,243 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,626
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,967
- Medicare (1.45%)$460
- North Carolina income tax$757
- Take-home pay$26,910
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,190 | $11.15 | $20,290 | $1,691 |
| 25th percentile | $24,000 | $11.54 | $20,925 | $1,744 |
| Median (50th) | $31,720 | $15.25 | $26,910 | $2,243 |
| 75th percentile | $39,690 | $19.08 | $32,996 | $2,750 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,780 | $24.89 | $42,228 | $3,519 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,720 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $26,910 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,580 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC has 1.2× 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
Durham, NC ranks #100 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 |
| 100 | Durham, NC | $31,720 | $26,910 | $27,580 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $31,580
- Raleigh, NC — $30,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Durham, NC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $31,720 a year, or about $15.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,000 and $39,690.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $31,720 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $26,910 a year ($2,243 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $757 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,580 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #100 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 65% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $49,410
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $48,060
- Animal Caretaker — $33,960
- Childcare Worker — $30,970
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,470