Recreation Worker Salary in New York, NY
Recreation Workers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn a median $38,440 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,588 take-home, or $2,632 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in New York, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,433
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,383
- Medicare (1.45%)$557
- New York income tax$1,479
- Take-home pay$31,588
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro spans New York, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in New York, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,460 | $16.57 | $28,605 | $2,384 |
| 25th percentile | $35,740 | $17.18 | $29,564 | $2,464 |
| Median (50th) | $38,440 | $18.48 | $31,588 | $2,632 |
| 75th percentile | $46,480 | $22.35 | $37,614 | $3,134 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,990 | $26.44 | $43,992 | $3,666 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,440 buys in New York, NY
Prices in New York, NY are 12.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.49× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,588 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,062 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 New York, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
New York, NY ranks #93 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 |
| 93 | New York, NY | $38,440 | $31,588 | $28,062 |
*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 New York
- Rochester, NY — $35,840
- Syracuse, NY — $34,800
- Albany, NY — $35,410
- Buffalo, NY — $33,640
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $37,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in New York, NY?
The median recreation worker salary in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $38,440 a year, or about $18.48 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,740 and $46,480.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in New York, NY?
On the median $38,440 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $31,588 a year ($2,632 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,479 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is New York, NY a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 12.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,062 would in a typical U.S. city. New York, NY ranks #93 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in New York, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New York, NY is $2,378 a month ($2,697 for two bedrooms) — 90% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New York, NY
- Costume Attendant — $95,230
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers — $72,860
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $58,720
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $54,530
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $53,580
- Concierge — $51,190
- Animal Trainer — $50,020
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $48,610
- Residential Advisor — $47,510
- Skincare Specialist — $46,490
- Tour and Travel Guide — $45,610
- Funeral Attendant — $45,100