Recreation Worker salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Recreation Workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $33,910 a year ($16.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,850 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 4% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $35,480. 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 $36,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| Median | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| 75th percentile | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Average (mean) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
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 | $2,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,412.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,304.23 |
| Weekly | $652.12 |
| Hourly | $16.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $36,270 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,030 | 470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,830 | 13,670 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,750 | 2,740 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,980 | 250 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,750 | 500 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,590 | 70 |
| Springfield, IL | $31,530 | 170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,280 | 290 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $30,910 | 100 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $28,380 | 70 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Residential Advisor | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,610 | $15.20 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $42,110 | $20.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $49,440 | $23.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $33,910 a year, or $16.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $44,850 a year. The top 25% earn $36,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $31,360 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 300 recreation workers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.