Recreation Worker salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Recreation Workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $33,750 a year ($16.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 2% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $34,320. There are 2.0 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,150 | $14.01 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| 75th percentile | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Average (mean) | $36,020 | $17.32 |
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 | $2,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,406.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,298.08 |
| Weekly | $649.04 |
| Hourly | $16.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $37,470 | 40 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,860 | 150 |
| Kankakee, IL | $36,270 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,030 | 470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,830 | 13,670 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $35,710 | 150 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $35,090 | 2,250 |
| Springfield, MO | $34,740 | 450 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $33,910 | 300 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,980 | 250 |
| Peoria, IL | $32,750 | 500 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,590 | 70 |
| Springfield, IL | $31,530 | 170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,280 | 290 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $30,910 | 100 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $30,190 | 90 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $28,380 | 70 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $33,320 | $16.02 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Animal Caretaker | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Gambling Dealer | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $40,840 | $19.64 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for recreation workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $33,750 a year, or $16.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $46,700 a year. The top 25% earn $37,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,150 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $31,200 or less.
How many recreation workers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,740 recreation workers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.