Recreation Worker Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Recreation Workers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $35,980 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,985 take-home, or $2,499 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,138
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,231
- Medicare (1.45%)$522
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,105
- Take-home pay$29,985
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,830 | $11.46 | $20,502 | $1,709 |
| 25th percentile | $29,410 | $14.14 | $24,908 | $2,076 |
| Median (50th) | $35,980 | $17.30 | $29,985 | $2,499 |
| 75th percentile | $45,030 | $21.65 | $36,979 | $3,082 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,000 | $24.52 | $41,593 | $3,466 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,980 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,985 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,673 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 less concentrated in Pittsburgh, PA than nationally (location quotient 0.65), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #18 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 |
| 18 | Pittsburgh, PA | $35,980 | $29,985 | $31,673 |
*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
- Scranton, PA — $34,580
- Lancaster, PA — $35,640
- Harrisburg, PA — $34,710
- Philadelphia, PA — $35,710
- Allentown, PA — $34,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $35,980 a year, or about $17.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,410 and $45,030.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $35,980 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $29,985 a year ($2,499 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,105 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,673 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #18 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $47,570
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,950
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $45,410
- Residential Advisor — $39,680
- Gambling Dealer — $39,500
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,100
- Concierge — $38,020
- Funeral Attendant — $36,080
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $31,670
- Tour and Travel Guide — $31,250
- Animal Caretaker — $30,860
- Childcare Worker — $29,840