Recreation Worker salary in Ithaca, NY
Recreation Workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn a median of $34,770 a year ($16.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,660 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 9% lower than the New York statewide median of $38,040. There are 3.6 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Ithaca, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,300 | $16.49 |
| 25th percentile | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| Median | $34,770 | $16.71 |
| 75th percentile | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| Average (mean) | $39,710 | $19.09 |
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 | $2,897.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,448.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,337.31 |
| Weekly | $668.65 |
| Hourly | $16.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $38,440 | 21,900 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $37,650 | 670 |
| Binghamton, NY | $36,170 | 260 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,840 | 1,400 |
| Kingston, NY | $35,730 | 210 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $35,410 | 1,060 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $34,840 | 150 |
| Syracuse, NY | $34,800 | 660 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,560 | 100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $33,890 | 320 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $33,640 | 1,880 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $32,410 | 140 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ithaca, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Residential Advisor | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| Animal Caretaker | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ithaca, NY
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 Ithaca, NY?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $34,770 a year, or $16.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Ithaca, NY?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn at least $50,660 a year. The top 25% earn $44,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Ithaca, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,300 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $34,590 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Ithaca, NY?
About 170 recreation workers are employed in the Ithaca, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.