Recreation Worker Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$44,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $36,560
State Rank
#2 of 51
6,380 employed here

How much does a Recreation Worker make in Washington?

Recreation Workers in Washington take home a median of $44,890 annually — roughly $21.58 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $36,560.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $35,660 while the top 10% make $59,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,420 and $50,150 a year.

Recreation Worker salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,660$17.14
25th percentile (early career)$37,420$17.99
50th percentile (median)$44,890$21.58
75th percentile (experienced)$50,150$24.11
90th percentile (top earners)$59,790$28.75

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($44,890) 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 Washington?
The median Recreation Worker salary in Washington is $44,890 per year, or about $21.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,660 at the entry level to $59,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Recreation Workers about 23% more than the national median of $36,560. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Recreation Workers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,890 a year. About 6,380 Recreation Workers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Recreation Worker salary report

Related salaries

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$42,240
median pay · 85,000 employed

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$32,150
median pay · 398,000 employed

Costume Attendant

$50,400
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$38,120
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Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other

$41,600
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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.