Recreation Worker Salary in San Jose, CA
Recreation Workers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $57,580 a year — 57% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,193 take-home, or $3,849 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in San Jose, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,730
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,570
- Medicare (1.45%)$835
- California income tax$1,504
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$749
- Take-home pay$46,193
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in San Jose, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.25 | $33,248 | $2,771 |
| 25th percentile | $44,830 | $21.55 | $36,836 | $3,070 |
| Median (50th) | $57,580 | $27.68 | $46,193 | $3,849 |
| 75th percentile | $61,520 | $29.58 | $49,071 | $4,089 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,520 | $29.58 | $49,071 | $4,089 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,580 buys in San Jose, CA
Prices in San Jose, CA are 10.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $46,193 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,832 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are about as common in San Jose, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
San Jose, CA ranks #2 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 |
*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 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
- San Diego, CA — $40,380
- Vallejo, CA — $38,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in San Jose, CA?
The median recreation worker salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $57,580 a year, or about $27.68 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,830 and $61,520.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in San Jose, CA?
On the median $57,580 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $46,193 a year ($3,849 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,253 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Jose, CA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 57% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 10.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,832 would in a typical U.S. city. San Jose, CA ranks #2 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in San Jose, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Jose, CA is $2,957 a month ($3,464 for two bedrooms) — 77% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Jose, CA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $62,010
- Tour and Travel Guide — $59,330
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $57,040
- Gambling Dealer — $52,060
- Childcare Worker — $45,720
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $44,760
- Animal Caretaker — $44,070
- Skincare Specialist — $43,420
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,410
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $43,070
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $42,850