Recreation Worker Salary in New Jersey (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$36,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#17 of 51
7,550 employed here

How much does a Recreation Worker make in New Jersey?

Recreation Workers in New Jersey take home a median of $36,880 annually — roughly $17.73 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $36,560.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $49,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,650 and $42,360 a year.

Recreation Worker salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,220$15.49
25th percentile (early career)$33,650$16.18
50th percentile (median)$36,880$17.73
75th percentile (experienced)$42,360$20.37
90th percentile (top earners)$49,240$23.67

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 17th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($36,880) 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 New Jersey?
The median Recreation Worker salary in New Jersey is $36,880 per year, or about $17.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $49,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Recreation Workers about 1% more than the national median of $36,560. New Jersey ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Recreation Workers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,880 a year. About 7,550 Recreation Workers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Recreation Worker salary report

Related salaries

Residential Advisor

$42,240
median pay · 85,000 employed

Amusement and Recreation Attendants

$32,150
median pay · 398,000 employed

Costume Attendant

$50,400
median pay · 7,000 employed

Tour and Travel Guides

$38,120
median pay · 54,000 employed

Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other

$41,600
median pay · 60,000 employed
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.