Recreation Worker Salary in Rochester, NY
Recreation Workers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $35,840 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,639 take-home, or $2,470 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,121
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,222
- Medicare (1.45%)$520
- New York income tax$1,338
- Take-home pay$29,639
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $32,960 | $15.85 | $27,481 | $2,290 |
| Median (50th) | $35,840 | $17.23 | $29,639 | $2,470 |
| 75th percentile | $38,470 | $18.50 | $31,610 | $2,634 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,300 | $22.26 | $37,479 | $3,123 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,840 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,639 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,545 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rochester, NY has 1.3× 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
Rochester, NY ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Rochester, NY | $35,840 | $29,639 | $30,545 |
*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 New York
- Syracuse, NY — $34,800
- Albany, NY — $35,410
- Buffalo, NY — $33,640
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $37,650
- New York, NY — $38,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Rochester, NY?
The median recreation worker salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $35,840 a year, or about $17.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,960 and $38,470.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $35,840 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $29,639 a year ($2,470 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,338 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,545 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #39 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $54,060
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $49,330
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,830
- Childcare Worker — $35,090
- Animal Caretaker — $34,950
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $32,760
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $32,250