How much does a recreation worker make?
The median recreation worker in the United States earns $36,560 per year, about $17.58 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all recreation workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-9032.
Recreation worker salary range
Pay for recreation workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $50,410. The average (mean) wage of $38,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,600 | $13.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,780 | $15.28 | |
| Median (50th) | $36,560 | $17.58 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $50,410 | $24.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for recreation workers (SOC 39-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Recreation worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Recreation workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $46,460 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $27,770. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 | 470 |
| Washington | $44,890 | 6,380 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 | 1,590 |
| California | $39,780 | 48,560 |
| Oregon | $39,610 | 4,640 |
| Colorado | $38,820 | 6,100 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 | 11,280 |
| New York | $38,040 | 24,790 |
| Alaska | $37,510 | 630 |
| Minnesota | $37,510 | 7,940 |
| Maine | $37,450 | 1,260 |
| Vermont | $37,450 | 840 |
| North Dakota | $37,310 | 730 |
| Maryland | $37,200 | 4,350 |
| New Hampshire | $37,040 | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $36,880 | 7,550 |
| Connecticut | $36,610 | 5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,340 | 770 |
| Virginia | $36,120 | 9,260 |
| Arizona | $35,800 | 12,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,710 | 9,850 |
| Wisconsin | $35,530 | 6,840 |
| Florida | $35,490 | 18,010 |
| Illinois | $35,480 | 17,650 |
| Michigan | $35,090 | 10,850 |
| Montana | $35,090 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $34,590 | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $34,320 | 5,380 |
| Delaware | $33,790 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $33,700 | 2,870 |
| Tennessee | $33,580 | 3,420 |
| Utah | $32,890 | 5,760 |
| North Carolina | $32,720 | 9,520 |
| Texas | $32,720 | 18,660 |
| Georgia | $32,540 | 8,160 |
| Ohio | $32,420 | 12,340 |
| Kentucky | $32,400 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $31,900 | 870 |
| Kansas | $31,760 | 2,990 |
| Oklahoma | $31,580 | 2,380 |
| South Carolina | $31,420 | 5,270 |
| Wyoming | $30,720 | 790 |
| Indiana | $30,190 | 8,050 |
| Nevada | $30,150 | 2,570 |
| Idaho | $30,100 | 2,080 |
| West Virginia | $29,710 | 1,410 |
| Louisiana | $28,580 | 2,830 |
| Alabama | $28,360 | 4,700 |
| Mississippi | $28,060 | 2,220 |
| Arkansas | $27,770 | 1,740 |
State median wages for recreation workers (SOC 39-9032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for recreation workers
The BLS projects employment of recreation workers to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 346,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 361,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 67,000 openings a year for recreation workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a recreation worker
The typical entry-level education for recreation workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a recreation worker earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $46,460) and the lowest (Arkansas, $27,770) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 331,490 people work as recreation workers in the United States. At $36,560 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Recreation worker salary FAQ
How much does a recreation worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a recreation worker is $17.58. The middle half of recreation workers earn between $15.28 and $20.90 per hour.
What is the highest recreation worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of recreation workers earn more than $50,410 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a recreation worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a recreation worker is $36,560. The average (mean) wage of $38,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a recreation worker a well paid job?
At $36,560 a year, a recreation worker earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 331,490 people work as recreation workers in the United States.
Which state pays recreation workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for recreation workers at $46,460 a year. Washington ($44,890) and South Dakota ($42,270) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a recreation worker a good career?
Employment of recreation workers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 67,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a recreation worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for recreation workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Personal Care & Service salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.