Recreation Worker salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Recreation Workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $33,860 a year ($16.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,040 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 5% lower than the Florida statewide median of $35,490. There are 1.3 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $36,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| 25th percentile | $28,880 | $13.88 |
| Median | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 75th percentile | $39,300 | $18.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Average (mean) | $36,410 | $17.50 |
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 | $2,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,302.31 |
| Weekly | $651.15 |
| Hourly | $16.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $38,130 | 290 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $36,910 | 330 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $36,860 | 800 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $36,840 | 2,860 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $36,830 | 510 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $36,200 | 150 |
| Sebring, FL | $35,940 | 110 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $35,880 | 230 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $35,490 | 2,640 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $35,460 | 5,610 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $35,460 | 440 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $35,330 | 120 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $34,710 | 1,000 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $34,700 | 100 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $34,470 | 500 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $34,140 | 150 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $33,710 | 310 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $33,690 | 250 |
| Ocala, FL | $32,890 | 210 |
| Gainesville, FL | $32,750 | 270 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $31,630 | 110 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,770 | $14.79 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Animal Trainer | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Concierge | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $33,860 a year, or $16.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $49,040 a year. The top 25% earn $39,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,040 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $28,880 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 350 recreation workers are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.