Recreation Worker salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Recreation Workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $38,870 a year ($18.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 2% lower than the California statewide median of $39,780. There are 2.2 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 25th percentile | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| Median | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| 75th percentile | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,840 | $32.62 |
| Average (mean) | $45,460 | $21.86 |
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 | $3,239.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,619.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,495 |
| Weekly | $747.50 |
| Hourly | $18.69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $57,580 | 2,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,290 | 6,510 |
| Napa, CA | $42,670 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,380 | 4,200 |
| Yuba City, CA | $40,100 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $40,010 | 760 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,990 | 550 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $38,930 | 1,030 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,820 | 2,810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,790 | 17,850 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $38,340 | 280 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,260 | 550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,060 | 1,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,960 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,850 | 3,380 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,230 | 1,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,080 | 900 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $37,010 | 350 |
| Merced, CA | $36,790 | 160 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,630 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $35,970 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $35,320 | 430 |
| Redding, CA | $35,230 | 260 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,900 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Residential Advisor | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $43,670 | $21.00 |
| Concierge | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,430 | $18.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $38,870 a year, or $18.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $67,840 a year. The top 25% earn $49,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,090 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $36,920 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 430 recreation workers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.