Recreation Workers pay in California
In California, the median pay for recreation workers is $19.12 an hour ($39,780 a year). About 48,560 people work in this job there.
That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($36,560). California ranks 5th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for recreation workers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.26 | $35,900 |
| 25% of workers | $17.94 | $37,320 |
| Half of workers (median) | $19.12 | $39,780 |
| 75% of workers | $22.38 | $46,550 |
| 90% of workers | $26.99 | $56,150 |
Recreation Workers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $57,580 | 2,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $46,290 | 6,510 |
| Napa | $42,670 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $40,380 | 4,200 |
| Yuba City | $40,100 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $40,010 | 760 |
| Vallejo | $38,990 | 550 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $38,930 | 1,030 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $38,870 | 430 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $38,820 | 2,810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $38,790 | 17,850 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $38,340 | 280 |
| Salinas | $38,260 | 550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $38,060 | 1,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $37,960 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $37,850 | 3,380 |
| Modesto | $37,230 | 1,000 |
| Fresno | $37,080 | 900 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $37,010 | 350 |
| Merced | $36,790 | 160 |
| Visalia | $36,630 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $35,970 | 50 |
| Chico | $35,320 | 430 |
| Redding | $35,230 | 260 |
| El Centro | $34,900 | 80 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for recreation workers
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.3% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 67,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $51,090 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $97,010 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,480 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 |
| Residential Advisors | $46,650 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,550 |
| Training and Development Managers | $156,260 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.