Recreation Worker salary in New York
Recreation Workers in New York earn a median of $38,040 a year ($18.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,610 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $36,560. New York ranks 9th of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 2.6 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,260 | $15.99 |
| 25th percentile | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Median | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| 75th percentile | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| Average (mean) | $41,790 | $20.09 |
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 | $3,170 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,585 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,463.08 |
| Weekly | $731.54 |
| Hourly | $18.29 |
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 New York
| 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 |
| Ithaca, NY | $34,770 | 170 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Concierge | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,320 | $24.67 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for recreation workers in New York is $38,040 a year, or $18.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in New York?
The top 10% of recreation workers in New York earn at least $54,610 a year. The top 25% earn $46,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,260 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $34,900 or less.
How many recreation workers work in New York?
About 24,790 recreation workers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.