Recreation Worker salary in State College, PA
Recreation Workers in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $31,450 a year ($15.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 12% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $35,710. There are 3.4 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,810 | $8.56 |
| 25th percentile | $22,260 | $10.70 |
| Median | $31,450 | $15.12 |
| 75th percentile | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Average (mean) | $35,080 | $16.86 |
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 | $2,620.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,310.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,209.62 |
| Weekly | $604.81 |
| Hourly | $15.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $43,170 | $20.76 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,130 | $10.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,480 | $14.18 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Concierge | $37,190 | $17.88 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the State College, PA metro area is $31,450 a year, or $15.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $57,660 a year. The top 25% earn $40,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,810 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $22,260 or less.
How many recreation workers work in State College, PA?
About 230 recreation workers are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.