Recreation Workers Salary by State
The national median pay for recreation workers is $36,560 a year. By state, it ranges from $27,770 in Arkansas to $46,460 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $27,600
- 25th percentile
- $31,780
- Median
- $36,560
- 75th percentile
- $43,470
- Top 10%
- $50,410
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 331,490 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $46,460 | +27% | $37,990 | $66,750 | 470 |
| 2 | Washington | $44,890 | +23% | $35,660 | $59,790 | 6,380 |
| 3 | South Dakota | $42,270 | +16% | $32,390 | $60,470 | 650 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $41,000 | +12% | $31,690 | $45,270 | 1,590 |
| 5 | California | $39,780 | +9% | $35,900 | $56,150 | 48,560 |
| 6 | Oregon | $39,610 | +8% | $32,330 | $56,730 | 4,640 |
| 7 | Colorado | $38,820 | +6% | $31,080 | $53,580 | 6,100 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $38,540 | +5% | $32,910 | $50,090 | 11,280 |
| 9 | New York | $38,040 | +4% | $33,260 | $54,610 | 24,790 |
| 10 | Alaska | $37,510 | +3% | $36,720 | $66,140 | 630 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $37,510 | +3% | $29,460 | $52,190 | 7,940 |
| 12 | Maine | $37,450 | +2% | $30,790 | $53,620 | 1,260 |
| 13 | Vermont | $37,450 | +2% | $32,130 | $51,310 | 840 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $37,310 | +2% | $22,250 | $54,000 | 730 |
| 15 | Maryland | $37,200 | +2% | $32,390 | $56,160 | 4,350 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $37,040 | +1% | $27,040 | $51,240 | 2,030 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $36,880 | +1% | $32,220 | $49,240 | 7,550 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $36,610 | 0% | $34,010 | $51,340 | 5,000 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $36,340 | −1% | $31,290 | $52,920 | 770 |
| 20 | Virginia | $36,120 | −1% | $27,390 | $53,800 | 9,260 |
| 21 | Arizona | $35,800 | −2% | $31,130 | $51,310 | 12,650 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $35,710 | −2% | $24,940 | $55,030 | 9,850 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $35,530 | −3% | $26,440 | $50,980 | 6,840 |
| 24 | Florida | $35,490 | −3% | $29,130 | $49,130 | 18,010 |
| 25 | Illinois | $35,480 | −3% | $31,200 | $47,480 | 17,650 |
| 26 | Michigan | $35,090 | −4% | $29,020 | $47,740 | 10,850 |
| 27 | Montana | $35,090 | −4% | $29,070 | $50,020 | 800 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $34,590 | −5% | $28,520 | $46,500 | 1,510 |
| 29 | Missouri | $34,320 | −6% | $28,600 | $46,830 | 5,380 |
| 30 | Delaware | $33,790 | −8% | $31,200 | $44,930 | 1,230 |
| 31 | Iowa | $33,700 | −8% | $24,420 | $46,740 | 2,870 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $33,580 | −8% | $23,960 | $46,550 | 3,420 |
| 33 | Utah | $32,890 | −10% | $22,520 | $47,450 | 5,760 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $32,720 | −11% | $22,060 | $50,810 | 9,520 |
| 35 | Texas | $32,720 | −11% | $22,910 | $47,870 | 18,660 |
| 36 | Georgia | $32,540 | −11% | $22,340 | $48,870 | 8,160 |
| 37 | Ohio | $32,420 | −11% | $24,580 | $47,220 | 12,340 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $32,400 | −11% | $22,770 | $46,120 | 3,290 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $31,900 | −13% | $26,510 | $52,960 | 870 |
| 40 | Kansas | $31,760 | −13% | $22,160 | $45,250 | 2,990 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $31,580 | −14% | $21,330 | $47,390 | 2,380 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $31,420 | −14% | $21,050 | $48,230 | 5,270 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $30,720 | −16% | $25,720 | $49,300 | 790 |
| 44 | Indiana | $30,190 | −17% | $22,470 | $45,710 | 8,050 |
| 45 | Nevada | $30,150 | −18% | $26,930 | $50,220 | 2,570 |
| 46 | Idaho | $30,100 | −18% | $21,150 | $50,370 | 2,080 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $29,710 | −19% | $22,340 | $53,400 | 1,410 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $28,580 | −22% | $19,300 | $45,320 | 2,830 |
| 49 | Alabama | $28,360 | −22% | $19,150 | $45,110 | 4,700 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $28,060 | −23% | $19,350 | $40,710 | 2,220 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $27,770 | −24% | $23,700 | $42,530 | 1,740 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Recreation Workers salary questions
Which state pays recreation workers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $46,460 a year (+27% vs. the national median of $36,560). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays recreation workers the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $27,770 a year (−24% vs. national).
Where do most recreation workers work?
California has the most jobs, about 48,560, with a median of $39,780.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.