Recreation Worker Salary in San Diego, CA
Recreation Workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $40,380 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,496 take-home, or $2,791 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,666
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,504
- Medicare (1.45%)$586
- California income tax$605
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$525
- Take-home pay$33,496
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,790 | $17.69 | $30,802 | $2,567 |
| 25th percentile | $38,030 | $18.28 | $31,732 | $2,644 |
| Median (50th) | $40,380 | $19.41 | $33,496 | $2,791 |
| 75th percentile | $44,450 | $21.37 | $36,550 | $3,046 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,480 | $23.31 | $39,545 | $3,295 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,380 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $33,496 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,937 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA 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
San Diego, CA ranks #59 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 |
| 59 | San Diego, CA | $40,380 | $33,496 | $29,937 |
*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
- Sacramento, CA — $38,820
- Stockton, CA — $37,960
- Vallejo, CA — $38,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in San Diego, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $40,380 a year, or about $19.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,030 and $44,450.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $40,380 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $33,496 a year ($2,791 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,129 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,937 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #59 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 88% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers — $75,930
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $56,420
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $51,910
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $49,570
- Residential Advisor — $43,810
- Concierge — $42,430
- Tour and Travel Guide — $40,450
- Childcare Worker — $39,800
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $38,150
- Animal Caretaker — $37,870
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other — $37,840
- Skincare Specialist — $37,640