Recreation Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Recreation Workers Make?
Recreation Workers earn a median annual salary of $35,380 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $25,640 at the 10th percentile to $49,460 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,820. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $45,760.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,640 |
| 25th percentile | $30,460 |
| Median (50th) | $35,380 |
| 75th percentile | $41,120 |
| 90th percentile | $49,460 |
Recreation Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $45,760 |
| Washington | $43,850 |
| South Dakota | $41,380 |
| Alaska | $39,830 |
| North Dakota | $37,920 |
| California | $37,580 |
| Minnesota | $37,500 |
| Oregon | $37,440 |
| New York | $37,270 |
| Vermont | $37,160 |
| Colorado | $37,110 |
| Massachusetts | $36,960 |
| Rhode Island | $36,080 |
| Maine | $35,920 |
| New Jersey | $35,720 |
| Connecticut | $35,520 |
| Arizona | $35,340 |
| Virginia | $35,260 |
| New Hampshire | $35,180 |
| Maryland | $34,200 |
| Florida | $34,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $34,050 |
| Wisconsin | $33,910 |
| Illinois | $33,830 |
| Michigan | $33,520 |
| Montana | $33,310 |
| Hawaii | $32,610 |
| North Carolina | $31,680 |
| Tennessee | $31,620 |
| Georgia | $31,520 |
| New Mexico | $31,510 |
| South Carolina | $31,370 |
| Texas | $31,290 |
| Wyoming | $31,200 |
| Delaware | $31,190 |
| Kentucky | $31,100 |
| Utah | $31,060 |
| Ohio | $31,030 |
| Missouri | $30,910 |
| Oklahoma | $30,650 |
| Iowa | $30,460 |
| Kansas | $30,370 |
| Nebraska | $30,110 |
| Indiana | $29,140 |
| Nevada | $29,130 |
| Idaho | $29,120 |
| West Virginia | $29,050 |
| Alabama | $27,320 |
| Mississippi | $27,200 |
| Louisiana | $26,530 |
| Arkansas | $26,520 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Recreation Workers
Recreation Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$25,640 – $30,460 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$35,380 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$41,120 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $49,460+ |
How to Earn More as a Recreation Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Recreation Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $54,990 — $19,610 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($41,120) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Recreation Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation Workerthis career | $35,380 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $56,270 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Manager | $77,180 |
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SOC: 39-9032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.