Recreation Worker salary in Madison, WI
Recreation Workers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $34,030 a year ($16.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,640 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 4% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $35,530. There are 2.4 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| 25th percentile | $31,340 | $15.07 |
| Median | $34,030 | $16.36 |
| 75th percentile | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Average (mean) | $37,420 | $17.99 |
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 | $2,835.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,417.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,308.85 |
| Weekly | $654.42 |
| Hourly | $16.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI | $38,620 | 140 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $38,180 | 4,960 |
| Wausau, WI | $38,030 | 80 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $37,460 | 160 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $36,080 | 500 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $35,950 | 1,680 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $35,600 | 300 |
| Green Bay, WI | $35,540 | 640 |
| Appleton, WI | $35,390 | 290 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,980 | 280 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $34,620 | 130 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $34,580 | 210 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $32,190 | 190 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $22,980 | 130 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,110 | $13.52 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,170 | $21.23 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,160 | $16.42 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,460 | $15.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,170 | $14.98 |
| Animal Trainer | $41,130 | $19.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Madison, WI metro area is $34,030 a year, or $16.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $50,640 a year. The top 25% earn $42,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,180 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $31,340 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Madison, WI?
About 970 recreation workers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.