Recreation Worker Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Recreation Workers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $35,950 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,265 take-home, or $2,522 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,134
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,229
- Medicare (1.45%)$521
- Wisconsin income tax$801
- Take-home pay$30,265
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,070 | $13.01 | $23,468 | $1,956 |
| 25th percentile | $30,620 | $14.72 | $26,217 | $2,185 |
| Median (50th) | $35,950 | $17.28 | $30,265 | $2,522 |
| 75th percentile | $44,340 | $21.32 | $36,637 | $3,053 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,160 | $27.00 | $45,615 | $3,801 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,950 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,265 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,221 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Milwaukee, WI | $35,950 | $30,265 | $31,221 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Green Bay, WI — $35,540
- Madison, WI — $34,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median recreation worker salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $35,950 a year, or about $17.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,620 and $44,340.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $35,950 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $30,265 a year ($2,522 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $801 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,221 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #27 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $46,700
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,190
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,190
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,170
- Childcare Worker — $33,280
- Animal Caretaker — $30,270
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,440
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,280