Recreation Worker Salary in Sacramento, CA
Recreation Workers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $38,820 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,325 take-home, or $2,694 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Sacramento, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,478
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,407
- Medicare (1.45%)$563
- California income tax$542
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$505
- Take-home pay$32,325
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,790 | $17.21 | $30,051 | $2,504 |
| 25th percentile | $36,730 | $17.66 | $30,757 | $2,563 |
| Median (50th) | $38,820 | $18.66 | $32,325 | $2,694 |
| 75th percentile | $45,870 | $22.05 | $37,616 | $3,135 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,410 | $24.24 | $40,955 | $3,413 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,820 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $32,325 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,304 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sacramento, CA has 1.2× 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
Sacramento, CA ranks #42 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 |
| 42 | Sacramento, CA | $38,820 | $32,325 | $30,304 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $57,580
- San Francisco, CA — $46,290
- Bakersfield, CA — $38,060
- Santa Rosa, CA — $40,010
- Fresno, CA — $37,080
- Stockton, CA — $37,960
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Vallejo, CA — $38,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Sacramento, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $38,820 a year, or about $18.66 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,730 and $45,870.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $38,820 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $32,325 a year ($2,694 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,047 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,304 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #42 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 for two bedrooms) — 67% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sacramento, CA
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $53,760
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $52,510
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $51,240
- Childcare Worker — $38,390
- Skincare Specialist — $38,180
- Animal Caretaker — $37,780
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $37,640
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,780
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,010
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,340
- Gambling Dealer — $35,210