Recreation Worker salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A recreation worker earns a median of $36,560 a year ($17.58 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $38,520. About 331,490 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $36,560
- Gross pay
- $1,406.15
- Federal income tax
- −$84.89
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$87.18
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$20.39
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,213.69
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $36,560
- Federal
- $2,207
- FICA
- $2,797
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $31,556
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Recreation Worker salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 | $50,330 | 470 |
| Washington | $44,890 | $45,940 | 6,380 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 | $44,200 | 650 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 | $41,170 | 1,590 |
| California | $39,780 | $43,530 | 48,560 |
| Oregon | $39,610 | $42,990 | 4,640 |
| Colorado | $38,820 | $41,210 | 6,100 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 | $41,320 | 11,280 |
| New York | $38,040 | $41,790 | 24,790 |
| Alaska | $37,510 | $45,510 | 630 |
| Minnesota | $37,510 | $39,840 | 7,940 |
| Maine | $37,450 | $40,310 | 1,260 |
| Vermont | $37,450 | $40,020 | 840 |
| North Dakota | $37,310 | $38,340 | 730 |
| Maryland | $37,200 | $41,280 | 4,350 |
| New Hampshire | $37,040 | $38,950 | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $36,880 | $39,660 | 7,550 |
| Connecticut | $36,610 | $41,150 | 5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,340 | $39,840 | 770 |
| Virginia | $36,120 | $38,870 | 9,260 |
| Arizona | $35,800 | $39,380 | 12,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,710 | $38,120 | 9,850 |
| Wisconsin | $35,530 | $37,400 | 6,840 |
| Florida | $35,490 | $37,620 | 18,010 |
| Illinois | $35,480 | $37,790 | 17,650 |
| Michigan | $35,090 | $37,240 | 10,850 |
| Montana | $35,090 | $38,520 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $34,590 | $36,890 | 1,510 |
| Missouri | $34,320 | $36,210 | 5,380 |
| Delaware | $33,790 | $35,900 | 1,230 |
| Iowa | $33,700 | $34,740 | 2,870 |
| Tennessee | $33,580 | $35,150 | 3,420 |
| Utah | $32,890 | $34,700 | 5,760 |
| North Carolina | $32,720 | $35,250 | 9,520 |
| Texas | $32,720 | $35,620 | 18,660 |
| Georgia | $32,540 | $34,690 | 8,160 |
| Ohio | $32,420 | $34,350 | 12,340 |
| Kentucky | $32,400 | $34,010 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $31,900 | $36,620 | 870 |
| Kansas | $31,760 | $32,720 | 2,990 |
| Oklahoma | $31,580 | $33,320 | 2,380 |
| South Carolina | $31,420 | $33,940 | 5,270 |
| Wyoming | $30,720 | $34,060 | 790 |
| Indiana | $30,190 | $32,710 | 8,050 |
| Nevada | $30,150 | $34,780 | 2,570 |
| Idaho | $30,100 | $34,190 | 2,080 |
| West Virginia | $29,710 | $34,510 | 1,410 |
| Louisiana | $28,580 | $31,220 | 2,830 |
| Alabama | $28,360 | $30,350 | 4,700 |
| Mississippi | $28,060 | $29,170 | 2,220 |
| Arkansas | $27,770 | $31,030 | 1,740 |
Similar jobs
- Gambling Service Worker: $36,310
- Locker Room: $36,300
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop: $37,080
- Hairdresser: $35,790
- Manicurist and Pedicurist: $35,760
- Funeral Attendant: $35,680
- Animal Caretaker: $35,360
- Tour and Travel Guide: $38,120
BLS occupation: Recreation Workers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 39-9032). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.58; the average is $18.52.
Which state pays recreation workers the most?
District of Columbia ($46,460 median), followed by Washington and South Dakota.
What is the salary range for a recreation worker?
The bottom 10% earn under $27,600 and the top 10% earn over $50,410 a year.
How much is $36,560 after taxes?
About $31,556 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $30,636 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.