Recreation Worker salary in Albuquerque, NM
Recreation Workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $26,510 a year ($12.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 17% lower than the New Mexico statewide median of $31,900. There are 1.3 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $33,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| Median | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 75th percentile | $37,360 | $17.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Average (mean) | $33,980 | $16.34 |
Half of recreation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,104.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,019.62 |
| Weekly | $509.81 |
| Hourly | $12.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $39,190 | 40 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $39,140 | 50 |
| Farmington, NM | $35,780 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for recreation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Washington | $44,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 |
| California | $39,780 |
| Oregon | $39,610 |
| Colorado | $38,820 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 |
| New York | $38,040 |
| Alaska | $37,510 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,250 | $21.76 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Animal Caretaker | $33,080 | $15.90 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,750 | $13.82 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,230 | $13.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Skincare Specialist | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $58,090 | $27.93 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $26,510 a year, or $12.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $47,980 a year. The top 25% earn $37,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,510 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $26,510 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 520 recreation workers are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.