Recreation Worker Salary in Portland, ME
Recreation Workers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median $38,230 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,472 take-home, or $2,623 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Portland, ME. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,408
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,370
- Medicare (1.45%)$554
- Maine income tax$1,426
- Take-home pay$31,472
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.80% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Portland, ME
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,750 | $15.26 | $26,641 | $2,220 |
| 25th percentile | $33,500 | $16.11 | $27,946 | $2,329 |
| Median (50th) | $38,230 | $18.38 | $31,472 | $2,623 |
| 75th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 | $38,646 | $3,220 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,040 | $26.94 | $44,607 | $3,717 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maine resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,230 buys in Portland, ME
Prices in Portland, ME are 1.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $31,472 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,898 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 Portland, ME as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, ME ranks #34 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 |
| 34 | Portland, ME | $38,230 | $31,472 | $30,898 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Portland, ME?
The median recreation worker salary in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $38,230 a year, or about $18.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,500 and $47,940.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Portland, ME?
On the median $38,230 salary, a single filer living in Maine takes home about $31,472 a year ($2,623 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,426 in Maine taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, ME a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 1.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,898 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, ME ranks #34 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Portland, ME?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, ME is $1,548 a month ($1,968 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, ME
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $54,850
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $46,460
- Animal Caretaker — $38,580
- Childcare Worker — $36,620
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $35,810