Recreation Worker salary in North Carolina
Recreation Workers in North Carolina earn a median of $32,720 a year ($15.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,810 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $36,560. North Carolina ranks 34th of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 1.9 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,060 | $10.61 |
| 25th percentile | $26,450 | $12.71 |
| Median | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| 75th percentile | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Average (mean) | $35,250 | $16.95 |
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 | $2,726.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,363.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,258.46 |
| Weekly | $629.23 |
| Hourly | $15.73 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,050 | 2,310 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,820 | 410 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,730 | 290 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,400 | 50 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $34,590 | 80 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,700 | 130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $32,920 | 510 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,720 | 410 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $31,720 | 890 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $31,580 | 2,280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $31,280 | 220 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,550 | 550 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $30,160 | 1,600 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,320 | 190 |
| Burlington, NC | $27,860 | 140 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $24,840 | 180 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,290 | $16.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,940 | $16.80 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for recreation workers in North Carolina is $32,720 a year, or $15.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of recreation workers in North Carolina earn at least $50,810 a year. The top 25% earn $41,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,060 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $26,450 or less.
How many recreation workers work in North Carolina?
About 9,520 recreation workers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.