Recreation Worker salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Recreation Workers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $31,720 a year ($15.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,780 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 3% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $32,720. There are 2.6 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,190 | $11.15 |
| 25th percentile | $24,000 | $11.54 |
| Median | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| 75th percentile | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| Average (mean) | $35,140 | $16.90 |
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 | $2,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,321.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,220 |
| Weekly | $610 |
| Hourly | $15.25 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,050 | 2,310 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,820 | 410 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,730 | 290 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,400 | 50 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $34,590 | 80 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,700 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $32,920 | 510 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,720 | 410 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $31,580 | 2,280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $31,280 | 220 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,550 | 550 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $30,160 | 1,600 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,320 | 190 |
| Burlington, NC | $27,860 | 140 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $24,840 | 180 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Residential Advisor | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Animal Caretaker | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $55,050 | $26.46 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Funeral Attendant | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Animal Trainer | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,450 | $30.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $31,720 a year, or $15.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $51,780 a year. The top 25% earn $39,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,190 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $24,000 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 890 recreation workers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.