Recreation Workers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,900
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$39,780
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,550
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$56,150
Half of Recreation Workers in California earn more than $39,780. The top 10% make $56,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,900.
Recreation Workers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 5th of 51 states for Recreation Workers pay, at $43,530 per year (13.0% above the U.S. average of $38,520).
- 48,560 people work as Recreation Workers in California — 14.6% of all U.S. Recreation Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.25: Recreation Workers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,900; the top 10% earn over $56,150.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.93 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $50,330.
- Among personal services jobs in California, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($62,890).
Recreation Workers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Recreation Workers here earn $43,530 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $43,530 is roughly equivalent to $30,655 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($50,330), Washington ($45,940), Alaska ($45,510) are the closest alternatives for Recreation Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Personal Services Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $62,890/yr California +44.5% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $49,910/yr California +14.7% vs this role
- Travel Guides $49,180/yr California +13.0% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $48,290/yr California +10.9% vs this role
- Barbers $47,720/yr California +9.6% vs this role
- Childcare Workers $42,790/yr California 1.7% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $42,730/yr California 1.8% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $39,730/yr California 8.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Recreation Workers salary in California?
The average Recreation Workers salary in California is $43,530 per year (median $39,780), which is 13.0% above the national average of $38,520.
How does California rank for Recreation Workers pay?
California ranks 5th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($50,330/yr).
How much do entry-level Recreation Workers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Recreation Workers in California earn about $35,900 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,320.
How much do Recreation Workers make per hour in California?
About $20.93 per hour, based on the $43,530 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Recreation Workers work in California?
BLS counts 48,560 Recreation Workers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data