Recreation Worker Salary in St. Louis, MO
Recreation Workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $33,750 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,649 take-home, or $2,387 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,870
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,093
- Medicare (1.45%)$489
- Missouri income tax$649
- Take-home pay$28,649
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,150 | $14.01 | $25,169 | $2,097 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,720 | $2,227 |
| Median (50th) | $33,750 | $16.23 | $28,649 | $2,387 |
| 75th percentile | $37,920 | $18.23 | $31,804 | $2,650 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,700 | $22.45 | $38,446 | $3,204 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,750 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $28,649 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,129 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 St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #54 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 |
| 54 | St. Louis, MO | $33,750 | $28,649 | $30,129 |
*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 Missouri
- Springfield, MO — $34,740
- Kansas City, MO — $35,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in St. Louis, MO?
The median recreation worker salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $33,750 a year, or about $16.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,200 and $37,920.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $33,750 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $28,649 a year ($2,387 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $649 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,129 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #54 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $46,490
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,940
- Skincare Specialist — $45,590
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $40,840
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,500
- Residential Advisor — $36,450
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $33,350
- Childcare Worker — $33,320
- Tour and Travel Guide — $31,980
- Animal Caretaker — $31,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,200
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $31,200