Recreation Worker Salary in Raleigh, NC
Recreation Workers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $30,160 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,719 take-home, or $2,143 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,439
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,870
- Medicare (1.45%)$437
- North Carolina income tax$695
- Take-home pay$25,719
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,560 | $10.85 | $19,797 | $1,650 |
| 25th percentile | $27,270 | $13.11 | $23,487 | $1,957 |
| Median (50th) | $30,160 | $14.50 | $25,719 | $2,143 |
| 75th percentile | $42,900 | $20.63 | $35,447 | $2,954 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,390 | $25.67 | $43,457 | $3,621 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,160 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,719 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,202 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 Raleigh, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #115 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 |
| 115 | Raleigh, NC | $30,160 | $25,719 | $26,202 |
*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 North Carolina
- Winston, NC — $32,920
- Greensboro, NC — $30,550
- Durham, NC — $31,720
- Charlotte, NC — $31,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Raleigh, NC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $30,160 a year, or about $14.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,270 and $42,900.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $30,160 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $25,719 a year ($2,143 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $695 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,202 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #115 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 74% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $49,900
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $48,800
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,290
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,700
- Skincare Specialist — $42,950
- Animal Caretaker — $32,400
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,390
- Childcare Worker — $28,680
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $27,940