Recreation Worker salary in Virginia
Recreation Workers in Virginia earn a median of $36,120 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,800 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $36,560. Virginia ranks 20th of 51 states for recreation workers pay. There are 2.3 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| 25th percentile | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| Median | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Average (mean) | $38,870 | $18.69 |
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 | $3,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,389.23 |
| Weekly | $694.62 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $42,800 | 4,360 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $37,050 | 2,310 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $36,360 | 330 |
| Richmond, VA | $34,700 | 1,320 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $34,000 | n/a |
| Lynchburg, VA | $33,970 | n/a |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $33,770 | 110 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $33,660 | 220 |
| Roanoke, VA | $33,210 | 540 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $32,150 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,080 | 140 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Residential Advisor | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Concierge | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $36,530 | $17.56 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for recreation workers in Virginia is $36,120 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Virginia earn at least $53,800 a year. The top 25% earn $44,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,390 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $31,370 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Virginia?
About 9,260 recreation workers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.