Recreation Workers
SOC 39-9032 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Recreation Workers is $34,410, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $36,270, and an estimated 281,750 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +21% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +2.8% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 4.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Recreation Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $34,410 | $34,410 | 281,750 |
| 2022 | $31,680 | $32,984 | 270,380 |
| 2021 | $29,680 | $33,375 | 264,020 |
| 2020 | $28,440 | $33,483 | 325,640 |
Nominal change
+21%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+2.8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
327,700
Projected 2034
341,100
Annual Openings
68,100
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Recreation Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $34,410. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $53,000 | +54% | 100 |
| Alaska | $43,040 | +25.1% | 260 |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $41,600 | +20.9% | 280 |
| South Dakota | $41,540 | +20.7% | 690 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $41,090 | +19.4% | 100 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $40,460 | +17.6% | 230 |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $40,410 | +17.4% | 120 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $39,830 | +15.8% | 380 |
| Washington | $39,180 | +13.9% | 4,390 |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $38,920 | +13.1% | 240 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$24,040
25th Pct
$29,120
Median
$34,410
75th Pct
$39,840
90th Pct
$49,690
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond Area Recreation District 1 | LA | 1 | $48,200 |
| KSAMASS,LLC | MA | 1 | $40,750 |
| South Shore YMCA | MA | 1 | $55,000 |
| CHALLENGER SPORTS CORP | MD | 1 | $44,720 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Personal Care & Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.