Recreation Worker salary in Arizona
Recreation Workers in Arizona earn a median of $35,800 a year ($17.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,310 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $36,560. Arizona ranks 21st of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 3.9 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $33,040 | $15.89 |
| Median | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| 75th percentile | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Average (mean) | $39,380 | $18.93 |
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 | $2,983.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,491.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,376.92 |
| Weekly | $688.46 |
| Hourly | $17.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Recreation Worker salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $36,190 | 9,200 |
| Tucson, AZ | $36,050 | 1,620 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $35,210 | 360 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $34,660 | 300 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $34,640 | 250 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $33,380 | 140 |
| Yuma, AZ | $32,400 | 250 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Residential Advisor | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $33,570 | $16.14 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,180 | $18.35 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $32,510 | $15.63 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Skincare Specialist | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| Gambling Dealer | $60,940 | $29.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,690 | $22.93 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for recreation workers in Arizona is $35,800 a year, or $17.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Arizona?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Arizona earn at least $51,310 a year. The top 25% earn $39,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,130 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $33,040 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Arizona?
About 12,650 recreation workers are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.