Recreation Worker salary in California
Recreation Workers in California earn a median of $39,780 a year ($19.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 48,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,150 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $36,560. California ranks 5th of 51 states for recreation workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.7 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| 25th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Median | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| 75th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,150 | $26.99 |
| Average (mean) | $43,530 | $20.93 |
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 | $3,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,657.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,530 |
| Weekly | $765 |
| Hourly | $19.12 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $57,580 | 2,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,290 | 6,510 |
| Napa, CA | $42,670 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,380 | 4,200 |
| Yuba City, CA | $40,100 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $40,010 | 760 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,990 | 550 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $38,930 | 1,030 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,870 | 430 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,820 | 2,810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,790 | 17,850 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $38,340 | 280 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,260 | 550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,060 | 1,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,960 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,850 | 3,380 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,230 | 1,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,080 | 900 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $37,010 | 350 |
| Merced, CA | $36,790 | 160 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,630 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $35,970 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $35,320 | 430 |
| Redding, CA | $35,230 | 260 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,900 | 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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $46,000 | $22.11 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for recreation workers in California is $39,780 a year, or $19.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in California?
The top 10% of recreation workers in California earn at least $56,150 a year. The top 25% earn $46,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,900 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $37,320 or less.
How many recreation workers work in California?
About 48,560 recreation workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.