Recreation Worker Salary in Tucson, AZ
Recreation Workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $36,050 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,454 take-home, or $2,538 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,146
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,235
- Medicare (1.45%)$523
- Arizona income tax$693
- Take-home pay$30,454
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,590 | $14.71 | $26,203 | $2,184 |
| 25th percentile | $31,690 | $15.24 | $27,059 | $2,255 |
| Median (50th) | $36,050 | $17.33 | $30,454 | $2,538 |
| 75th percentile | $37,290 | $17.93 | $31,419 | $2,618 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,230 | $22.71 | $39,157 | $3,263 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,050 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,454 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,429 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tucson, AZ has 1.9× 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
Tucson, AZ ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Tucson, AZ | $36,050 | $30,454 | $31,429 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $36,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Tucson, AZ?
The median recreation worker salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $36,050 a year, or about $17.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,690 and $37,290.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $36,050 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $30,454 a year ($2,538 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $693 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,429 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #22 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,950
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,590
- Animal Caretaker — $36,870
- Childcare Worker — $32,830
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,410
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $30,870
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,580