Recreation Worker salary in Illinois
Recreation Workers in Illinois earn a median of $35,480 a year ($17.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,480 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $36,560. Illinois ranks 25th of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 2.9 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Median | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 75th percentile | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Average (mean) | $37,790 | $18.17 |
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 | $2,956.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,478.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,364.62 |
| Weekly | $682.31 |
| Hourly | $17.06 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $36,270 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,030 | 470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,830 | 13,670 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $33,910 | 300 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for recreation workers in Illinois is $35,480 a year, or $17.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Illinois earn at least $47,480 a year. The top 25% earn $39,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $31,840 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Illinois?
About 17,650 recreation workers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.