Recreation Worker salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Recreation Workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $25,690 a year ($12.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,170 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 7% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $27,770. There are 1.4 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $28,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $24,130 | $11.60 |
| Median | $25,690 | $12.35 |
| 75th percentile | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Average (mean) | $28,700 | $13.80 |
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 | $2,140.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,070.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $988.08 |
| Weekly | $494.04 |
| Hourly | $12.35 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,240 | 60 |
| Lawton, OK | $33,830 | 40 |
| Tulsa, OK | $33,780 | 520 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,700 | 970 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $29,910 | 370 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $28,320 | 990 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $28,140 | 60 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $27,770 | 80 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $25,800 | 600 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $25,690 a year, or $12.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $38,170 a year. The top 25% earn $30,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,880 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $24,130 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 130 recreation workers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.