Recreation Worker Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Recreation Workers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $36,190 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,563 take-home, or $2,547 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,163
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,244
- Medicare (1.45%)$525
- Arizona income tax$696
- Take-home pay$30,563
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,280 | $15.04 | $26,740 | $2,228 |
| 25th percentile | $33,680 | $16.19 | $28,609 | $2,384 |
| Median (50th) | $36,190 | $17.40 | $30,563 | $2,547 |
| 75th percentile | $40,320 | $19.38 | $33,778 | $2,815 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,180 | $25.57 | $43,789 | $3,649 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,190 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,563 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,582 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 1.8× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #69 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 |
| 69 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,190 | $30,563 | $29,582 |
*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 Arizona
- Tucson, AZ — $36,050
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median recreation worker salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $36,190 a year, or about $17.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,680 and $40,320.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $36,190 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $30,563 a year ($2,547 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $696 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,582 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #69 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Skincare Specialist — $51,180
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $48,380
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,300
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $44,990
- Residential Advisor — $42,340
- Animal Caretaker — $39,030
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants — $38,570
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,810
- Childcare Worker — $35,760
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,520
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $33,660
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $32,510