Recreation Worker Salary in Richmond, VA
Recreation Workers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $34,700 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,880 take-home, or $2,407 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,984
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,151
- Medicare (1.45%)$503
- Virginia income tax$1,181
- Take-home pay$28,880
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,330 | $12.66 | $22,590 | $1,883 |
| 25th percentile | $27,680 | $13.31 | $23,627 | $1,969 |
| Median (50th) | $34,700 | $16.68 | $28,880 | $2,407 |
| 75th percentile | $41,780 | $20.09 | $34,162 | $2,847 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,920 | $25.44 | $42,472 | $3,539 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,700 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $28,880 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,512 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 Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #72 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 |
| 72 | Richmond, VA | $34,700 | $28,880 | $29,512 |
*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 Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $37,050
- Roanoke, VA — $33,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Richmond, VA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $34,700 a year, or about $16.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,680 and $41,780.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $34,700 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $28,880 a year ($2,407 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,181 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,512 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #72 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $50,060
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $46,960
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $39,110
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $36,610
- Animal Caretaker — $33,710
- Childcare Worker — $33,570
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,250
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,860