Recreation Worker salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Recreation Workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $37,050 a year ($17.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 3% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $36,120. There are 3.0 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| Median | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| 75th percentile | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Average (mean) | $37,810 | $18.18 |
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 | $3,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,543.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,425 |
| Weekly | $712.50 |
| Hourly | $17.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $42,800 | 4,360 |
| Asheville, NC | $36,820 | 410 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,730 | 290 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $36,360 | 330 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,400 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $34,700 | 1,320 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $34,590 | 80 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $34,000 | n/a |
| Lynchburg, VA | $33,970 | n/a |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $33,770 | 110 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $33,700 | 130 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $33,660 | 220 |
| Roanoke, VA | $33,210 | 540 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $32,920 | 510 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,720 | 410 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $32,150 | 100 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $31,720 | 890 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $31,580 | 2,280 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $31,280 | 220 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,080 | 140 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,550 | 550 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $30,160 | 1,600 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,320 | 190 |
| Burlington, NC | $27,860 | 140 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $24,840 | 180 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Skincare Specialist | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Funeral Attendant | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Concierge | $36,050 | $17.33 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $37,050 a year, or $17.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $48,780 a year. The top 25% earn $39,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,520 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $30,840 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 2,310 recreation workers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.