Recreation Worker Salary in Kansas City, MO
Recreation Workers in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median $35,090 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,663 take-home, or $2,472 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Kansas City, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,031
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,176
- Medicare (1.45%)$509
- Missouri income tax$712
- Take-home pay$29,663
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The Kansas City, MO-KS metro spans Missouri, Kansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Kansas City, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 | $24,753 | $2,063 |
| 25th percentile | $30,040 | $14.44 | $25,843 | $2,154 |
| Median (50th) | $35,090 | $16.87 | $29,663 | $2,472 |
| 75th percentile | $39,540 | $19.01 | $33,029 | $2,752 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,460 | $22.82 | $39,021 | $3,252 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,090 buys in Kansas City, MO
Prices in Kansas City, MO are 7.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,663 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,053 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 Kansas City, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Kansas City, MO ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Kansas City, MO | $35,090 | $29,663 | $32,053 |
*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 Missouri
- Springfield, MO — $34,740
- St. Louis, MO — $33,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Kansas City, MO?
The median recreation worker salary in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $35,090 a year, or about $16.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,040 and $39,540.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Kansas City, MO?
On the median $35,090 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $29,663 a year ($2,472 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $712 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is Kansas City, MO a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 7.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,053 would in a typical U.S. city. Kansas City, MO ranks #13 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Kansas City, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Kansas City, MO is $1,193 a month ($1,355 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $47,200
- Skincare Specialist — $46,920
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $46,090
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $38,550
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,180
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $32,480
- Animal Caretaker — $32,150
- Childcare Worker — $31,770
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $31,520
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,680