Recreation Worker Salary in Philadelphia, PA
Recreation Workers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median $35,710 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,777 take-home, or $2,481 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Philadelphia, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,105
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,214
- Medicare (1.45%)$518
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,096
- Take-home pay$29,777
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Philadelphia, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,530 | $14.20 | $25,001 | $2,083 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 | $27,080 | $2,257 |
| Median (50th) | $35,710 | $17.17 | $29,777 | $2,481 |
| 75th percentile | $42,940 | $20.64 | $35,364 | $2,947 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,230 | $26.55 | $44,862 | $3,738 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,710 buys in Philadelphia, PA
Prices in Philadelphia, PA are 2.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,777 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,035 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 Philadelphia, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.83).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Philadelphia, PA ranks #84 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 |
| 84 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,710 | $29,777 | $29,035 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Pittsburgh, PA — $35,980
- Scranton, PA — $34,580
- Lancaster, PA — $35,640
- Harrisburg, PA — $34,710
- Allentown, PA — $34,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Philadelphia, PA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $35,710 a year, or about $17.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,220 and $42,940.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Philadelphia, PA?
On the median $35,710 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $29,777 a year ($2,481 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,096 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Philadelphia, PA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,035 would in a typical U.S. city. Philadelphia, PA ranks #84 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Philadelphia, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Philadelphia, PA is $1,520 a month ($1,810 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $51,560
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $49,830
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,040
- Skincare Specialist — $43,570
- Funeral Attendant — $42,460
- Concierge — $40,820
- Residential Advisor — $39,990
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,320
- Animal Caretaker — $34,970
- Childcare Worker — $34,520
- Tour and Travel Guide — $34,290
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $32,720