Recreation Worker salary in Appleton, WI
Recreation Workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $35,390 a year ($17.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $35,530. There are 2.3 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,380 | $14.13 |
| 25th percentile | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| Median | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| 75th percentile | $42,690 | $20.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Average (mean) | $37,440 | $18.00 |
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 | $2,949.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,474.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,361.15 |
| Weekly | $680.58 |
| Hourly | $17.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI | $38,620 | 140 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $38,180 | 4,960 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,030 | 80 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $37,460 | 160 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,080 | 500 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,950 | 1,680 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,600 | 300 |
| Green Bay, WI | $35,540 | 640 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,980 | 280 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $34,620 | 130 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $34,580 | 210 |
| Madison, WI | $34,030 | 970 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $32,190 | 190 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $22,980 | 130 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| Childcare Worker | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,110 | $14.47 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Skincare Specialist | $48,270 | $23.21 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,780 | $12.88 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Appleton, WI metro area is $35,390 a year, or $17.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $48,290 a year. The top 25% earn $42,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,380 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $33,480 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Appleton, WI?
About 290 recreation workers are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.