Recreation Workers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for recreation workers in the United States was $36,560 ($17.58 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| 25th | $31,780 | $15.28 |
| Median | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 75th | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| 90th | $50,410 | $24.24 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 39-9032
- Total U.S. employment: 331,490
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $27,600, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $50,410 — a 1.8x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $17.58 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $36,566 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $36,560.
Recreation Workers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $28,360 | $13.64 | -22.4% | 4,700 |
| Alaska | $37,510 | $18.03 | +2.6% | 630 |
| Arizona | $35,800 | $17.21 | -2.1% | 12,650 |
| Arkansas | $27,770 | $13.35 | -24.0% | 1,740 |
| California | $39,780 | $19.12 | +8.8% | 48,560 |
| Colorado | $38,820 | $18.67 | +6.2% | 6,100 |
| Connecticut | $36,610 | $17.60 | +0.1% | 5,000 |
| Delaware | $33,790 | $16.25 | -7.6% | 1,230 |
| District of Columbia | $46,460 | $22.34 | +27.1% | 470 |
| Florida | $35,490 | $17.06 | -2.9% | 18,010 |
| Georgia | $32,540 | $15.64 | -11.0% | 8,160 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 | $19.71 | +12.1% | 1,590 |
| Idaho | $30,100 | $14.47 | -17.7% | 2,080 |
| Illinois | $35,480 | $17.06 | -3.0% | 17,650 |
| Indiana | $30,190 | $14.52 | -17.4% | 8,050 |
| Iowa | $33,700 | $16.20 | -7.8% | 2,870 |
| Kansas | $31,760 | $15.27 | -13.1% | 2,990 |
| Kentucky | $32,400 | $15.58 | -11.4% | 3,290 |
| Louisiana | $28,580 | $13.74 | -21.8% | 2,830 |
| Maine | $37,450 | $18.01 | +2.4% | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $37,200 | $17.89 | +1.8% | 4,350 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 | $18.53 | +5.4% | 11,280 |
| Michigan | $35,090 | $16.87 | -4.0% | 10,850 |
| Minnesota | $37,510 | $18.03 | +2.6% | 7,940 |
| Mississippi | $28,060 | $13.49 | -23.2% | 2,220 |
| Missouri | $34,320 | $16.50 | -6.1% | 5,380 |
| Montana | $35,090 | $16.87 | -4.0% | 800 |
| Nebraska | $34,590 | $16.63 | -5.4% | 1,510 |
| Nevada | $30,150 | $14.49 | -17.5% | 2,570 |
| New Hampshire | $37,040 | $17.81 | +1.3% | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $36,880 | $17.73 | +0.9% | 7,550 |
| New Mexico | $31,900 | $15.34 | -12.7% | 870 |
| New York | $38,040 | $18.29 | +4.0% | 24,790 |
| North Carolina | $32,720 | $15.73 | -10.5% | 9,520 |
| North Dakota | $37,310 | $17.94 | +2.1% | 730 |
| Ohio | $32,420 | $15.59 | -11.3% | 12,340 |
| Oklahoma | $31,580 | $15.18 | -13.6% | 2,380 |
| Oregon | $39,610 | $19.05 | +8.3% | 4,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,710 | $17.17 | -2.3% | 9,850 |
| Rhode Island | $36,340 | $17.47 | -0.6% | 770 |
| South Carolina | $31,420 | $15.10 | -14.1% | 5,270 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 | $20.32 | +15.6% | 650 |
| Tennessee | $33,580 | $16.14 | -8.2% | 3,420 |
| Texas | $32,720 | $15.73 | -10.5% | 18,660 |
| Utah | $32,890 | $15.81 | -10.0% | 5,760 |
| Vermont | $37,450 | $18.01 | +2.4% | 840 |
| Virginia | $36,120 | $17.36 | -1.2% | 9,260 |
| Washington | $44,890 | $21.58 | +22.8% | 6,380 |
| West Virginia | $29,710 | $14.28 | -18.7% | 1,410 |
| Wisconsin | $35,530 | $17.08 | -2.8% | 6,840 |
| Wyoming | $30,720 | $14.77 | -16.0% | 790 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
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- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — $33,980/yr
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- Computer Systems Analysts — $105,850/yr
- Childcare Workers — $34,980/yr
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,350/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for recreation workers?
The median annual wage for recreation workers is $36,560 ($17.58 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays recreation workers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many recreation workers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 331,490 recreation workers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do recreation workers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.58. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.