Recreation Worker Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Recreation Workers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$32,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#38 of 51
3,290 employed here

How much does a Recreation Worker make in Kentucky?

A Recreation Worker working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $32,400 per year, or about $15.58 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $36,560 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $22,770 while the top 10% make $46,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,180 and $37,110 a year.

Recreation Worker salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,770$10.95
25th percentile (early career)$28,180$13.55
50th percentile (median)$32,400$15.58
75th percentile (experienced)$37,110$17.84
90th percentile (top earners)$46,120$22.17

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Recreation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$46,460
2Washington$44,890
3South Dakota$42,270
4Hawaii$41,000
5California$39,780

Working as a Recreation Worker in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($32,400) 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 Kentucky?
The median Recreation Worker salary in Kentucky is $32,400 per year, or about $15.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,770 at the entry level to $46,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Recreation Workers about 11% less than the national median of $36,560. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Recreation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $32,400 a year. About 3,290 Recreation Workers are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.