Recreation Worker Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Recreation Workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $37,050 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,633 take-home, or $2,553 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,266
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,297
- Medicare (1.45%)$537
- Virginia income tax$1,316
- Take-home pay$30,633
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 | $22,737 | $1,895 |
| 25th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 | $26,001 | $2,167 |
| Median (50th) | $37,050 | $17.81 | $30,633 | $2,553 |
| 75th percentile | $39,500 | $18.99 | $32,461 | $2,705 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,780 | $23.45 | $39,384 | $3,282 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $37,050 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $30,633 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,277 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Virginia Beach, VA has 1.4× 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
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Virginia Beach, VA | $37,050 | $30,633 | $31,277 |
*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 Virginia
- Roanoke, VA — $33,210
- Richmond, VA — $34,700
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median recreation worker salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $37,050 a year, or about $17.81 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,840 and $39,500.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $37,050 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $30,633 a year ($2,553 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,316 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,277 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #25 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 59% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $45,920
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $44,280
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $38,610
- Residential Advisor — $36,350
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,770
- Skincare Specialist — $34,190
- Animal Caretaker — $30,870
- Childcare Worker — $29,790
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,660
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $28,260