Best cities for a parks recreation director
The best cities for parks recreation directors are Austin, TX, Anchorage, AK, and Corpus Christi, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for parks recreation directors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for parks recreation directors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a parks recreation director or considering a move, this list of the best cities for parks recreation directors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for parks recreation directors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a parks recreation director. While the absolute best city for parks recreation directors is Austin, TX, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for parks recreation directors in 2024.
If you're looking for a parks recreation director job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for parks recreation directors in 2025
1. Austin, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $54,368 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 2.23 2. Anchorage, AK
Total parks recreation director jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $69,781 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $147,000 Location quotient: 9.80 3. Corpus Christi, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,788 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Durham, NC
Total parks recreation director jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $52,168 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 9.16 5. San Antonio, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,588 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Houston, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,355 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. El Paso, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,151 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Laredo, TX
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $54,888 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Reno, NV
Total parks recreation director jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $53,732 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 6.59 10. Raleigh, NC
Total parks recreation director jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for parks recreation directors
- Austin, TX
- Anchorage, AK
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Durham, NC
- San Antonio, TX
- Houston, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Reno, NV
- Raleigh, NC
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Detailed list of the best cities for a parks recreation director
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $54,368 | $28,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | $69,781 | $33,000 | 298,192 | 1 |
| 3 | Corpus Christi, TX | $54,788 | $28,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $52,168 | $28,000 | 263,016 | 3 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $54,588 | $28,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $54,355 | $28,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 7 | El Paso, TX | $54,151 | $28,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 8 | Laredo, TX | $54,888 | $27,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $53,732 | $26,000 | 245,255 | 1 |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | $52,372 | $28,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $68,806 | $33,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 12 | Oakland, CA | $68,415 | $33,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 13 | Fremont, CA | $67,947 | $32,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 14 | Arlington, TX | $52,943 | $28,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 15 | Fort Worth, TX | $52,925 | $28,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 16 | Greensboro, NC | $51,234 | $28,000 | 287,027 | 1 |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $67,765 | $32,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 18 | Dallas, TX | $52,864 | $28,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 19 | Irving, TX | $52,809 | $28,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 20 | Garland, TX | $52,715 | $28,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 21 | Lubbock, TX | $52,614 | $28,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 22 | Plano, TX | $52,611 | $28,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $66,717 | $32,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,125 | $26,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 25 | Sacramento, CA | $66,691 | $32,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 26 | Winston-Salem, NC | $50,705 | $28,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 27 | Portland, OR | $58,125 | $29,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 28 | Charlotte, NC | $49,579 | $28,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 29 | Las Vegas, NV | $49,690 | $24,000 | 632,912 | 1 |
| 30 | Seattle, WA | $58,723 | $30,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 31 | North Las Vegas, NV | $49,523 | $24,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 32 | Henderson, NV | $49,297 | $24,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 33 | Glendale, AZ | $49,184 | $24,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 34 | Fresno, CA | $64,466 | $31,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 35 | Phoenix, AZ | $49,126 | $24,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 36 | Scottsdale, AZ | $49,001 | $24,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 37 | Washington, DC | $67,385 | $36,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 38 | Boston, MA | $56,298 | $30,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 39 | Chandler, AZ | $48,863 | $24,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 40 | Los Angeles, CA | $58,472 | $28,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 41 | Mesa, AZ | $48,807 | $24,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 42 | Bakersfield, CA | $62,087 | $29,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 43 | Gilbert, AZ | $48,801 | $24,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 44 | Jersey City, NJ | $57,292 | $30,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 45 | Newark, NJ | $57,201 | $30,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 46 | Tucson, AZ | $48,193 | $24,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 47 | Pittsburgh, PA | $45,964 | $25,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 48 | Saint Paul, MN | $49,978 | $34,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $49,902 | $34,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 50 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,813 | $24,000 | 559,277 | - |
Highest paying cities for parks recreation directors
| Rank | City | Avg. parks recreation director salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino, CA | $68,142 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $58,723 |
| 3 | Montclair, NJ | $57,030 |
| 4 | Worcester, MA | $56,840 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $54,368 |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $53,732 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $52,168 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $50,685 |
| 9 | Colorado Springs, CO | $49,033 |
| 10 | Wesley Chapel, FL | $47,890 |
| 11 | Arlington, VA | $47,430 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $47,038 |
| 13 | Baltimore, MD | $46,133 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $41,963 |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $41,588 |
| 16 | Taylorsville, UT | $40,713 |
| 17 | West Lafayette, IN | $38,153 |
| 18 | Kansas City, MO | $36,108 |
Parks recreation director best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025