Recreation Worker Salary in San Francisco, CA
Recreation Workers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $46,290 a year — 27% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,931 take-home, or $3,161 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,375
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,870
- Medicare (1.45%)$671
- California income tax$841
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$602
- Take-home pay$37,931
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,980 | $18.26 | $31,695 | $2,641 |
| 25th percentile | $40,470 | $19.46 | $33,563 | $2,797 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | $22.25 | $37,931 | $3,161 |
| 75th percentile | $51,990 | $25.00 | $42,109 | $3,509 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,920 | $29.77 | $49,363 | $4,114 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,290 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $37,931 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,809 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, CA ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $46,290 | $37,931 | $32,809 |
*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
- Bakersfield, CA — $38,060
- Santa Rosa, CA — $40,010
- Fresno, CA — $37,080
- Sacramento, CA — $38,820
- Stockton, CA — $37,960
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Vallejo, CA — $38,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in San Francisco, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $46,290 a year, or about $22.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,470 and $51,990.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $46,290 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $37,931 a year ($3,161 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,443 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 27% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,809 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #10 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 83% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $65,820
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $61,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $60,510
- Residential Advisor — $54,510
- Tour and Travel Guide — $52,480
- Skincare Specialist — $52,350
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $51,900
- Concierge — $46,120
- Childcare Worker — $44,540
- Animal Caretaker — $43,640
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $42,860
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $42,400