Recreation Worker salary in Washington
Recreation Workers in Washington earn a median of $44,890 a year ($21.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,790 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $36,560. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for recreation workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| 25th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Median | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| 75th percentile | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Average (mean) | $45,940 | $22.09 |
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 | $3,740.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,870.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,726.54 |
| Weekly | $863.27 |
| Hourly | $21.58 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $45,990 | 3,600 |
| Bellingham, WA | $44,640 | 260 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $43,460 | 120 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $43,380 | 160 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $43,060 | 220 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $42,580 | 2,660 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $40,330 | 210 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $40,250 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $39,260 | 510 |
| Yakima, WA | $38,820 | 170 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $37,600 | 120 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $37,450 | 100 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $29,740 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Childcare Worker | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Animal Caretaker | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Gambling Dealer | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $41,010 | $19.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $54,160 | $26.04 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for recreation workers in Washington is $44,890 a year, or $21.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of recreation workers in Washington earn at least $59,790 a year. The top 25% earn $50,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,660 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $37,420 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Washington?
About 6,380 recreation workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.