Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Recreation workers (SOC 39-9032) employed 331,490 people in May 2025. The median pay is $36,560 a year ($17.58 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,600 and the highest-paid 10% more than $50,410. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.3% between 2025 and 2035 (about 67,000 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($46,460), Washington ($44,890), South Dakota ($42,270). Most jobs: California (48,560), New York (24,790), Texas (18,660).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| 25th percentile | $31,780 | $15.28 |
| Median | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Mean | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $50,410 | $24.24 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 346,900 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 361,900 |
| Change in jobs | 15,000 |
| Percent change | +4.3% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 67,000 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,700 | 1.04 | $28,360 | $19,150 | $45,110 | -22% | 46% |
| Alaska | 630 | 0.91 | $37,510 | $36,720 | $66,140 | +3% | 46% |
| Arizona | 12,650 | 1.83 | $35,800 | $31,130 | $51,310 | -2% | 56% |
| Arkansas | 1,740 | 0.63 | $27,770 | $23,700 | $42,530 | -24% | 42% |
| California | 48,560 | 1.25 | $39,780 | $35,900 | $56,150 | +9% | 63% |
| Colorado | 6,100 | 1.00 | $38,820 | $31,080 | $53,580 | +6% | 56% |
| Connecticut | 5,000 | 1.38 | $36,610 | $34,010 | $51,340 | +0% | 51% |
| Delaware | 1,230 | 1.19 | $33,790 | $31,200 | $44,930 | -8% | 54% |
| District of Columbia | 470 | 0.31 | $46,460 | $37,990 | $66,750 | +27% | 50% |
| Florida | 18,010 | 0.85 | $35,490 | $29,130 | $49,130 | -3% | 61% |
| Georgia | 8,160 | 0.78 | $32,540 | $22,340 | $48,870 | -11% | 56% |
| Hawaii | 1,590 | 1.19 | $41,000 | $31,690 | $45,270 | +12% | 57% |
| Idaho | 2,080 | 1.14 | $30,100 | $21,150 | $50,370 | -18% | 55% |
| Illinois | 17,650 | 1.36 | $35,480 | $31,200 | $47,480 | -3% | 45% |
| Indiana | 8,050 | 1.18 | $30,190 | $22,470 | $45,710 | -17% | 44% |
| Iowa | 2,870 | 0.86 | $33,700 | $24,420 | $46,740 | -8% | 35% |
| Kansas | 2,990 | 0.98 | $31,760 | $22,160 | $45,250 | -13% | 41% |
| Kentucky | 3,290 | 0.77 | $32,400 | $22,770 | $46,120 | -11% | 37% |
| Louisiana | 2,830 | 0.69 | $28,580 | $19,300 | $45,320 | -22% | 45% |
| Maine | 1,260 | 0.92 | $37,450 | $30,790 | $53,620 | +2% | 39% |
| Maryland | 4,350 | 0.74 | $37,200 | $32,390 | $56,160 | +2% | 56% |
| Massachusetts | 11,280 | 1.45 | $38,540 | $32,910 | $50,090 | +5% | 58% |
| Michigan | 10,850 | 1.16 | $35,090 | $29,020 | $47,740 | -4% | 40% |
| Minnesota | 7,940 | 1.26 | $37,510 | $29,460 | $52,190 | +3% | 41% |
| Mississippi | 2,220 | 0.90 | $28,060 | $19,350 | $40,710 | -23% | 42% |
| Missouri | 5,380 | 0.86 | $34,320 | $28,600 | $46,830 | -6% | 37% |
| Montana | 800 | 0.74 | $35,090 | $29,070 | $50,020 | -4% | 40% |
| Nebraska | 1,510 | 0.69 | $34,590 | $28,520 | $46,500 | -5% | 38% |
| Nevada | 2,570 | 0.78 | $30,150 | $26,930 | $50,220 | -18% | 68% |
| New Hampshire | 2,030 | 1.39 | $37,040 | $27,040 | $51,240 | +1% | 50% |
| New Jersey | 7,550 | 0.83 | $36,880 | $32,220 | $49,240 | +1% | 59% |
| New Mexico | 870 | 0.47 | $31,900 | $26,510 | $52,960 | -13% | 42% |
| New York | 24,790 | 1.20 | $38,040 | $33,260 | $54,610 | +4% | 52% |
| North Carolina | 9,520 | 0.90 | $32,720 | $22,060 | $50,810 | -11% | 49% |
| North Dakota | 730 | 0.79 | $37,310 | $22,250 | $54,000 | +2% | 32% |
| Ohio | 12,340 | 1.04 | $32,420 | $24,580 | $47,220 | -11% | 40% |
| Oklahoma | 2,380 | 0.65 | $31,580 | $21,330 | $47,390 | -14% | 40% |
| Oregon | 4,640 | 1.11 | $39,610 | $32,330 | $56,730 | +8% | 48% |
| Pennsylvania | 9,850 | 0.76 | $35,710 | $24,940 | $55,030 | -2% | 42% |
| Rhode Island | 770 | 0.72 | $36,340 | $31,290 | $52,920 | -1% | 47% |
| South Carolina | 5,270 | 1.07 | $31,420 | $21,050 | $48,230 | -14% | 49% |
| South Dakota | 650 | 0.67 | $42,270 | $32,390 | $60,470 | +16% | 28% |
| Tennessee | 3,420 | 0.49 | $33,580 | $23,960 | $46,550 | -8% | 46% |
| Texas | 18,660 | 0.62 | $32,720 | $22,910 | $47,870 | -11% | 54% |
| Utah | 5,760 | 1.56 | $32,890 | $22,520 | $47,450 | -10% | 58% |
| Vermont | 840 | 1.29 | $37,450 | $32,130 | $51,310 | +2% | 42% |
| Virginia | 9,260 | 1.06 | $36,120 | $27,390 | $53,800 | -1% | 55% |
| Washington | 6,380 | 0.84 | $44,890 | $35,660 | $59,790 | +23% | 49% |
| West Virginia | 1,410 | 0.94 | $29,710 | $22,340 | $53,400 | -19% | 36% |
| Wisconsin | 6,840 | 1.09 | $35,530 | $26,440 | $50,980 | -3% | 39% |
| Wyoming | 790 | 1.31 | $30,720 | $25,720 | $49,300 | -16% | 39% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,620 | $57,580 | $40,050 | $61,520 | 1.08 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 1,170 | $47,870 | $23,900 | $47,870 | 4.09 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 6,510 | $46,290 | $37,980 | $61,920 | 1.29 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,600 | $45,990 | $36,600 | $61,070 | 0.81 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 4,360 | $42,800 | $32,910 | $62,000 | 0.65 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,660 | $42,580 | $35,250 | $58,940 | 1.03 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 1,410 | $41,000 | $31,690 | $41,000 | 1.48 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 4,200 | $40,380 | $36,790 | $48,480 | 1.28 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 760 | $40,010 | $38,410 | $55,660 | 1.75 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 3,110 | $39,640 | $31,680 | $50,820 | 0.91 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 320 | $39,430 | $33,510 | $50,140 | 1.57 |
| Boulder, CO | 370 | $39,260 | $32,390 | $60,400 | 0.91 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 510 | $39,260 | $34,760 | $56,350 | 0.94 |
| Vallejo, CA | 550 | $38,990 | $36,730 | $51,280 | 1.78 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 1,030 | $38,930 | $36,300 | $48,400 | 1.49 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 430 | $38,870 | $35,090 | $67,840 | 1.01 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,810 | $38,820 | $35,790 | $50,410 | 1.22 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 17,850 | $38,790 | $36,100 | $48,790 | 1.34 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 8,720 | $38,770 | $32,910 | $50,580 | 1.51 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 21,900 | $38,440 | $34,460 | $54,990 | 1.08 |
| Salinas, CA | 550 | $38,260 | $35,740 | $54,610 | 1.38 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,880 | $38,230 | $27,040 | $49,300 | 0.68 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 610 | $38,230 | $31,750 | $56,040 | 0.99 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 4,960 | $38,180 | $29,570 | $56,110 | 1.19 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1,260 | $38,060 | $35,800 | $46,350 | 1.74 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 990 | $37,960 | $35,160 | $47,470 | 1.60 |
| Worcester, MA | 1,010 | $37,950 | $33,510 | $48,670 | 1.35 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 350 | $37,930 | $30,800 | $50,770 | 0.96 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3,380 | $37,850 | $35,090 | $49,780 | 0.92 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 400 | $37,740 | $31,500 | $52,880 | 1.20 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 1,410 | $37,670 | $34,010 | $54,530 | 1.64 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 670 | $37,650 | $33,980 | $55,430 | 1.17 |
| Salem, OR | 380 | $37,630 | $31,170 | $56,440 | 0.94 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 520 | $37,600 | $32,560 | $49,820 | 0.78 |
| Springfield, MA | 590 | $37,500 | $31,210 | $49,910 | 1.37 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 1,070 | $37,460 | $29,280 | $46,550 | 0.46 |
| Anchorage, AK | 350 | $37,240 | $36,950 | $60,700 | 0.94 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,000 | $37,230 | $34,320 | $44,000 | 2.41 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 400 | $37,130 | $30,590 | $50,300 | 1.55 |
| Fresno, CA | 900 | $37,080 | $34,320 | $47,000 | 0.89 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 2,310 | $37,050 | $26,520 | $48,780 | 1.42 |
| Savannah, GA | 370 | $37,030 | $26,110 | $51,620 | 0.88 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 350 | $37,010 | $34,850 | $51,240 | 1.36 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 330 | $36,910 | $29,120 | $48,190 | 0.91 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 480 | $36,870 | $27,040 | $48,990 | 1.14 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | 800 | $36,860 | $30,010 | $50,700 | 1.11 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 2,860 | $36,840 | $29,370 | $49,070 | 0.93 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 510 | $36,830 | $29,530 | $57,240 | 0.78 |
| Asheville, NC | 410 | $36,820 | $22,290 | $56,200 | 1.06 |
| Visalia, CA | 330 | $36,630 | $34,320 | $45,790 | 0.90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,060 | $36,550 | $18,950 | $52,220 | 1.26 |
| Mobile, AL | 420 | $36,530 | $23,390 | $47,630 | 1.13 |
| New Haven, CT | 670 | $36,470 | $34,010 | $51,500 | 1.12 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 330 | $36,360 | $27,920 | $55,760 | 1.37 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,450 | $36,320 | $31,360 | $50,330 | 0.96 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 9,200 | $36,190 | $31,280 | $53,180 | 1.82 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 630 | $36,150 | $27,860 | $49,040 | 0.73 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 4,420 | $36,080 | $23,400 | $49,850 | 0.72 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 500 | $36,080 | $29,190 | $49,530 | 1.87 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,620 | $36,050 | $30,590 | $47,230 | 1.95 |
The median is $36,560 a year ($17.58 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $27,600 and the highest-paid tenth over $50,410 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
331,490 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.3% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $46,460 (among states with published figures).