Iowa Median
$33,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#31 of 51
2,870 employed here
How much does a Recreation Worker make in Iowa?
Recreation Workers in Iowa take home a median of $33,700 annually — roughly $16.20 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $36,560.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $24,420 while the top 10% make $46,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,790 and $38,100 a year.
Recreation Worker salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,420 | $11.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,790 | $13.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 31st 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 $41,000California $39,780Oregon $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 $33,790Tennessee $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($33,700) 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 Iowa?
The median Recreation Worker salary in Iowa is $33,700 per year, or about $16.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,420 at the entry level to $46,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Recreation Workers about 8% less than the national median of $36,560. Iowa ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Recreation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,700 a year. About 2,870 Recreation Workers are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.