Recreation Worker Salary in Roanoke, VA
Recreation Workers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median $33,210 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,769 take-home, or $2,314 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Roanoke, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,805
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,059
- Medicare (1.45%)$482
- Virginia income tax$1,095
- Take-home pay$27,769
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Roanoke, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,260 | $13.59 | $24,071 | $2,006 |
| 25th percentile | $32,150 | $15.46 | $26,978 | $2,248 |
| Median (50th) | $33,210 | $15.97 | $27,769 | $2,314 |
| 75th percentile | $36,550 | $17.57 | $30,260 | $2,522 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,430 | $22.32 | $37,631 | $3,136 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,210 buys in Roanoke, VA
Prices in Roanoke, VA are 6.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $27,769 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,662 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Roanoke, VA has 1.6× the national concentration of recreation worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Roanoke, VA ranks #65 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 |
| 65 | Roanoke, VA | $33,210 | $27,769 | $29,662 |
*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
- Richmond, VA — $34,700
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Roanoke, VA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $33,210 a year, or about $15.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,150 and $36,550.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Roanoke, VA?
On the median $33,210 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $27,769 a year ($2,314 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,095 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 6.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,662 would in a typical U.S. city. Roanoke, VA ranks #65 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Roanoke, VA is $1,020 a month ($1,200 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $38,650
- Childcare Worker — $29,100