Recreation Workers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for recreation workers is $17.23 an hour ($35,830 a year). About 13,670 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($36,560). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($35,480).
Pay range for recreation workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $15.78 | $32,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.23 | $35,830 |
| 75% of workers | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| 90% of workers | $23.14 | $48,130 |
Recreation Workers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee | $36,270 | 90 |
| Bloomington | $36,030 | 470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page) | $35,830 | 13,670 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $33,910 | 300 |
| Rockford | $32,980 | 250 |
| Peoria | $32,750 | 500 |
| Decatur | $31,590 | 70 |
| Springfield | $31,530 | 170 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,180 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $77,900 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $79,150 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $80,570 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $49,350 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,240 |
| Residential Advisors | $44,320 |
| Training and Development Managers | $133,800 |
Other job titles for this job
Open recreation workers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring recreation workers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.