Recreation Worker Salary in South Bend, IN
Recreation Workers in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median $30,190 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,577 take-home, or $2,131 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in South Bend, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,443
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,872
- Medicare (1.45%)$438
- Indiana income tax$861
- Take-home pay$25,577
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro spans Indiana, Michigan. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in South Bend, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,440 | $13.67 | $24,221 | $2,018 |
| 25th percentile | $30,190 | $14.51 | $25,577 | $2,131 |
| Median (50th) | $30,190 | $14.51 | $25,577 | $2,131 |
| 75th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 | $29,671 | $2,473 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,810 | $21.06 | $36,118 | $3,010 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,190 buys in South Bend, IN
Prices in South Bend, IN are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $25,577 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,544 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
South Bend, IN has 2.4× 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
South Bend, IN ranks #101 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 |
| 101 | South Bend, IN | $30,190 | $25,577 | $27,544 |
*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 Indiana
- Fort Wayne, IN — $29,980
- Indianapolis, IN — $30,570
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in South Bend, IN?
The median recreation worker salary in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $30,190 a year, or about $14.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,190 and $35,480.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in South Bend, IN?
On the median $30,190 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $25,577 a year ($2,131 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $861 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is South Bend, IN a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,544 would in a typical U.S. city. South Bend, IN ranks #101 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in South Bend, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in South Bend, IN is $1,073 a month ($1,244 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.