Recreation Worker salary in Pennsylvania
Recreation Workers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,710 a year ($17.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,030 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 1.6 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $38,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,940 | $11.99 |
| 25th percentile | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Median | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| 75th percentile | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| Average (mean) | $38,120 | $18.33 |
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 | $2,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,373.46 |
| Weekly | $686.73 |
| Hourly | $17.17 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Johnstown, PA | $36,330 | 120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,980 | 1,540 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,710 | 5,160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $35,640 | 490 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,090 | 230 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $35,050 | 110 |
| Lebanon, PA | $34,860 | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $34,710 | 480 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $34,620 | 610 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $34,580 | 440 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,520 | 160 |
| Reading, PA | $33,510 | 290 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $33,480 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $32,410 | 250 |
| State College, PA | $31,450 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $29,610 | 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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Residential Advisor | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $27,590 | $13.27 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Animal Caretaker | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Gambling Dealer | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Concierge | $39,560 | $19.02 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for recreation workers in Pennsylvania is $35,710 a year, or $17.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Pennsylvania earn at least $55,030 a year. The top 25% earn $43,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,940 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $29,630 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Pennsylvania?
About 9,850 recreation workers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.