Recreation Worker salary in Iowa
Recreation Workers in Iowa earn a median of $33,700 a year ($16.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,740 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $36,560. Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 1.8 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,420 | $11.74 |
| 25th percentile | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| Median | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| 75th percentile | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Average (mean) | $34,740 | $16.70 |
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 | $2,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,404.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,296.15 |
| Weekly | $648.08 |
| Hourly | $16.20 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $36,660 | 80 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | 630 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $35,700 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $34,630 | 620 |
| Iowa City, IA | $31,740 | 180 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,280 | 290 |
| Ames, IA | $31,110 | 240 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,740 | 310 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $29,700 | 170 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for recreation workers in Iowa is $33,700 a year, or $16.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Iowa earn at least $46,740 a year. The top 25% earn $38,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,420 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $28,790 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Iowa?
About 2,870 recreation workers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.