Recreation Worker Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Recreation Workers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $30,570 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,871 take-home, or $2,156 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,488
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,895
- Medicare (1.45%)$443
- Indiana income tax$872
- Take-home pay$25,871
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,080 | $11.10 | $19,965 | $1,664 |
| 25th percentile | $25,540 | $12.28 | $21,918 | $1,827 |
| Median (50th) | $30,570 | $14.70 | $25,871 | $2,156 |
| 75th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,453 | $2,538 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,540 | $22.86 | $39,005 | $3,250 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,570 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,871 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,034 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #110 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 |
| 110 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,570 | $25,871 | $27,034 |
*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
- Fort Wayne, IN — $29,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median recreation worker salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $30,570 a year, or about $14.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,540 and $36,490.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $30,570 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $25,871 a year ($2,156 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $872 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,034 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #110 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $50,090
- Skincare Specialist — $48,530
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $46,540
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,380
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $34,190
- Childcare Worker — $30,650
- Animal Caretaker — $30,440
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,940
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,420