Recreation Worker Salary in Seattle, WA
Recreation Workers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $45,990 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,133 take-home, or $3,261 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,339
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,851
- Medicare (1.45%)$667
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,133
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 | $31,588 | $2,632 |
| 25th percentile | $39,280 | $18.88 | $33,741 | $2,812 |
| Median (50th) | $45,990 | $22.11 | $39,133 | $3,261 |
| 75th percentile | $51,800 | $24.90 | $43,801 | $3,650 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,070 | $29.36 | $51,250 | $4,271 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,990 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $39,133 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,213 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #3 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 Washington
- Spokane, WA — $39,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Seattle, WA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $45,990 a year, or about $22.11 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,280 and $51,800.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $45,990 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $39,133 a year ($3,261 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,213 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #3 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers — $80,920
- Skincare Specialist — $80,510
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $68,020
- Tour and Travel Guide — $63,630
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $63,560
- Gambling Dealer — $60,490
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $59,810
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $56,380
- Residential Advisor — $54,310
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $50,800
- Concierge — $47,830
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $44,250