Recreation Worker Salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Recreation Workers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median $29,980 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,414 take-home, or $2,118 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Fort Wayne, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,418
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,859
- Medicare (1.45%)$435
- Indiana income tax$855
- Take-home pay$25,414
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Fort Wayne, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,890 | $11.00 | $19,814 | $1,651 |
| 25th percentile | $27,390 | $13.17 | $23,387 | $1,949 |
| Median (50th) | $29,980 | $14.41 | $25,414 | $2,118 |
| 75th percentile | $35,430 | $17.03 | $29,632 | $2,469 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,630 | $21.94 | $37,527 | $3,127 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,980 buys in Fort Wayne, IN
Prices in Fort Wayne, IN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,414 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,453 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 Fort Wayne, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Wayne, IN ranks #105 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 |
| 105 | Fort Wayne, IN | $29,980 | $25,414 | $27,453 |
*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 Indiana
- South Bend, IN — $30,190
- Indianapolis, IN — $30,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median recreation worker salary in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $29,980 a year, or about $14.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,390 and $35,430.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Fort Wayne, IN?
On the median $29,980 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $25,414 a year ($2,118 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $855 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Wayne, IN a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,453 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Wayne, IN ranks #105 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Fort Wayne, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Wayne, IN is $906 a month ($1,105 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 Fort Wayne, IN
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $30,630
- Childcare Worker — $30,050
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,950
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,060