Recreation Worker Salary in Portland, OR
Recreation Workers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area earn a median $42,580 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,497 take-home, or $2,791 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Portland, OR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,930
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,640
- Medicare (1.45%)$617
- Oregon income tax$2,896
- Take-home pay$33,497
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 8.75% state
The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro spans Oregon, Washington. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Portland, OR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,250 | $16.95 | $28,249 | $2,354 |
| 25th percentile | $38,040 | $18.29 | $30,246 | $2,521 |
| Median (50th) | $42,580 | $20.47 | $33,497 | $2,791 |
| 75th percentile | $49,780 | $23.93 | $38,652 | $3,221 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,940 | $28.34 | $45,211 | $3,768 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Oregon resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,580 buys in Portland, OR
Prices in Portland, OR are 5.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.25× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $33,497 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,774 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, OR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Portland, OR ranks #17 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 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $42,580 | $33,497 | $31,774 |
*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, OR?
The median recreation worker salary in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metro area is $42,580 a year, or about $20.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,040 and $49,780.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Portland, OR?
On the median $42,580 salary, a single filer living in Oregon takes home about $33,497 a year ($2,791 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,896 in Oregon taxes in 2026.
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 5.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,774 would in a typical U.S. city. Portland, OR ranks #17 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Portland, OR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Portland, OR is $1,677 a month ($1,922 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Portland, OR
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $59,610
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $59,570
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $59,350
- Skincare Specialist — $57,930
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $50,030
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $47,280
- Residential Advisor — $47,160
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $41,600
- Childcare Worker — $39,590
- Animal Caretaker — $37,370
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $35,970
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,150