Recreation Worker Salary in Waterbury, CT
Recreation Workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median $34,990 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,645 take-home, or $2,470 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Waterbury, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,019
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,169
- Medicare (1.45%)$507
- Connecticut income tax$650
- Take-home pay$29,645
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Waterbury, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,010 | $16.35 | $28,902 | $2,408 |
| 25th percentile | $34,010 | $16.35 | $28,902 | $2,408 |
| Median (50th) | $34,990 | $16.82 | $29,645 | $2,470 |
| 75th percentile | $36,820 | $17.70 | $31,033 | $2,586 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,030 | $22.13 | $38,019 | $3,168 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,990 buys in Waterbury, CT
Prices in Waterbury, CT are 0.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median recreation worker's $29,645 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,711 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waterbury, CT 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
Waterbury, CT ranks #63 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 |
| 63 | Waterbury, CT | $34,990 | $29,645 | $29,711 |
*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 Connecticut
- Bridgeport, CT — $37,670
- Hartford, CT — $35,950
- New Haven, CT — $36,470
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Waterbury, CT?
The median recreation worker salary in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $34,990 a year, or about $16.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,010 and $36,820.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Waterbury, CT?
On the median $34,990 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $29,645 a year ($2,470 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $650 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Waterbury, CT a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 0.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,711 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterbury, CT ranks #63 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker afford rent in Waterbury, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterbury, CT is $1,445 a month ($1,788 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterbury, CT
- Childcare Worker — $35,670
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $34,320