California Median
$39,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#5 of 51
48,560 employed here
How much does a Recreation Worker make in California?
Recreation Workers in California take home a median of $39,780 annually — roughly $19.13 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $36,560.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,900 while the top 10% make $56,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,320 and $46,550 a year.
Recreation Worker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,900 | $17.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,320 | $17.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,780 | $19.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,150 | $27.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Recreation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Recreation Worker salary in other states
District of Columbia $46,460Washington $44,890South Dakota $42,270Hawaii $41,000Oregon $39,610Colorado $38,820Massachusetts $38,540New York $38,040Alaska $37,510Minnesota $37,510Maine $37,450Vermont $37,450North Dakota $37,310Maryland $37,200New Hampshire $37,040New Jersey $36,880Connecticut $36,610Rhode Island $36,340Virginia $36,120Arizona $35,800Pennsylvania $35,710Wisconsin $35,530Florida $35,490Illinois $35,480Michigan $35,090Montana $35,090Nebraska $34,590Missouri $34,320Delaware $33,790Iowa $33,700Tennessee $33,580Utah $32,890North Carolina $32,720Texas $32,720Georgia $32,540Ohio $32,420Kentucky $32,400New Mexico $31,900Kansas $31,760Oklahoma $31,580South Carolina $31,420Wyoming $30,720Indiana $30,190Nevada $30,150Idaho $30,100West Virginia $29,710Louisiana $28,580Alabama $28,360Mississippi $28,060Arkansas $27,770
Working as a Recreation Worker in California
Nationally, about 331,000 people work as Recreation Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($39,780) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Recreation Worker make in California?
The median Recreation Worker salary in California is $39,780 per year, or about $19.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,900 at the entry level to $56,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Recreation Workers about 9% more than the national median of $36,560. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Recreation Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,780 a year. About 48,560 Recreation Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Recreation Worker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.