Recreation Worker salary in Bellingham, WA
Recreation Workers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $44,640 a year ($21.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,010 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 1% lower than the Washington statewide median of $44,890. There are 2.8 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| 25th percentile | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| Median | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 75th percentile | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Average (mean) | $45,900 | $22.07 |
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 | $3,720 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,860 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,716.92 |
| Weekly | $858.46 |
| Hourly | $21.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $45,990 | 3,600 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $43,460 | 120 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $43,380 | 160 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $43,060 | 220 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $42,580 | 2,660 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $40,330 | 210 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $40,250 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $39,260 | 510 |
| Yakima, WA | $38,820 | 170 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $37,450 | 100 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $29,740 | 80 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Childcare Worker | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Gambling Dealer | $37,410 | $17.98 |
| Skincare Specialist | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Animal Trainer | $40,540 | $19.49 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $44,640 a year, or $21.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $60,010 a year. The top 25% earn $47,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,950 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $39,780 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Bellingham, WA?
About 260 recreation workers are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.