Recreation Worker salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Recreation Workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $33,420 a year ($16.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 9% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $36,880. There are 1.7 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $36,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Median | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 75th percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Average (mean) | $36,970 | $17.78 |
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 | $2,785 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,392.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,285.38 |
| Weekly | $642.69 |
| Hourly | $16.07 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $38,440 | 21,900 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,710 | 5,160 |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,700 | 60 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $34,900 | 490 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $34,620 | 610 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Residential Advisor | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,160 | $27.96 |
| Skincare Specialist | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Concierge | $35,470 | $17.05 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $33,420 a year, or $16.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $46,080 a year. The top 25% earn $39,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $32,220 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 400 recreation workers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.