Recreation Worker Salary in Washington, DC
Recreation Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $42,800 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,168 take-home, or $2,931 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,956
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,654
- Medicare (1.45%)$621
- District of Columbia income tax$1,402
- Take-home pay$35,168
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,910 | $15.82 | $27,815 | $2,318 |
| 25th percentile | $36,420 | $17.51 | $30,424 | $2,535 |
| Median (50th) | $42,800 | $20.58 | $35,168 | $2,931 |
| 75th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 | $40,462 | $3,372 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,000 | $29.81 | $49,414 | $4,118 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,800 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $35,168 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,298 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 less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.65), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $42,800 | $35,168 | $32,298 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Washington, DC?
The median recreation worker salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $42,800 a year, or about $20.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,420 and $49,920.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $42,800 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $35,168 a year ($2,931 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,402 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,298 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #11 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 68% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $53,310
- Animal Trainer — $50,460
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $49,300
- Residential Advisor — $47,010
- Skincare Specialist — $46,620
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,190
- Tour and Travel Guide — $46,130
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $42,040
- Concierge — $38,810
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $38,700
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $38,000
- Animal Caretaker — $37,710