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The role of a Playground Supervisor is not only vital for child safety but also offers competitive salaries across various regions. Currently, the average annual salary is around $36,826, with hourly rates starting at approximately $18. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and specific job responsibilities.
In states like California and New York, Playground Supervisors typically earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for recreational services. For instance, experienced supervisors may see salaries exceeding $45,000 in metropolitan areas. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for potential candidates looking to enter or progress in the field.
As with many professions, experience plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level Playground Supervisors may start at lower wages, while those with several years of experience can command higher salaries. This progression reflects the growing responsibilities and skills acquired over time.
Job seekers can explore various openings through platforms like Zippia, which provide insights into salary estimates and available positions tailored to different experience levels.
Let Zippia find your next playground supervisor job
Let Zippia find your next playground supervisor job
The average playground supervisor salary in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average playground supervisor salary states are Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $45,361 | $21.81 |
| 2 | New York | $42,109 | $20.24 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $45,610 | $21.93 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $38,867 | $18.69 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $44,754 | $21.52 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $41,999 | $20.19 |
| 7 | Washington | $40,565 | $19.50 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $38,758 | $18.63 |
| 9 | Delaware | $39,749 | $19.11 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $45,267 | $21.76 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $38,263 | $18.40 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $34,232 | $16.46 |
| 13 | Alaska | $44,065 | $21.19 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 15 | Virginia | $37,397 | $17.98 |
| 16 | Michigan | $33,651 | $16.18 |
| 17 | Indiana | $33,944 | $16.32 |
| 18 | Maryland | $37,603 | $18.08 |
| 19 | Vermont | $39,544 | $19.01 |
| 20 | Iowa | $34,994 | $16.82 |
| 21 | Colorado | $33,191 | $15.96 |
| 22 | Maine | $37,892 | $18.22 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $36,176 | $17.39 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 25 | Ohio | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| 26 | California | $33,456 | $16.08 |
| 27 | Oregon | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 28 | Arizona | $29,890 | $14.37 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $30,391 | $14.61 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $32,496 | $15.62 |
| 31 | Illinois | $29,978 | $14.41 |
| 32 | Montana | $32,624 | $15.68 |
| 33 | Nevada | $30,351 | $14.59 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $34,345 | $16.51 |
| 35 | Florida | $27,553 | $13.25 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $25,568 | $12.29 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $27,219 | $13.09 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $27,546 | $13.24 |
| 40 | Georgia | $26,707 | $12.84 |
| 41 | Missouri | $28,641 | $13.77 |
| 42 | Utah | $28,775 | $13.83 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $24,648 | $11.85 |
| 44 | Idaho | $28,975 | $13.93 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $28,000 | $13.46 |
| 46 | Kansas | $27,482 | $13.21 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $26,175 | $12.58 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $24,916 | $11.98 |
| 49 | Texas | $24,577 | $11.82 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $23,427 | $11.26 |
| 51 | Alabama | $24,193 | $11.63 |
The highest-paying cities for playground supervisors are Shoreline, WA, Minot, ND, and Petaluma, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shoreline, WA | $40,929 | $19.68 |
| 2 | Minot, ND | $38,777 | $18.64 |
| 3 | Petaluma, CA | $35,687 | $17.16 |
| 4 | Arlington Heights, IL | $30,394 | $14.61 |
| 5 | Logan, UT | $28,971 | $13.93 |
A playground supervisor's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $55,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $36,826 | $3,069 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of playground supervisors are program lead, chef/kitchen manager, and front of house manager.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banquet Captain | $34,428 | $2,869 | $16.55 | 60,883 |
| Chef/Kitchen Manager | $49,415 | $4,118 | $23.76 | 38,242 |
| Bakery Manager | $38,223 | $3,185 | $18.38 | 97,468 |
| Program Lead | $100,727 | $8,394 | $48.43 | 61,632 |
| Shift Leader | $33,841 | $2,820 | $16.27 | 229,485 |
| Crew Manager | $33,856 | $2,821 | $16.28 | 221,986 |
Top companies hiring playground supervisors now:
Playground supervisor salaries at CRISTA Ministries and DUNLAP CO/THE are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average playground supervisor salary at companies like Santa Barbara Unified School District and Westside are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRISTA Ministries | $41,637 | $20.02 |
| 2 | DUNLAP CO/THE | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| 3 | Santa Barbara Unified School District | $34,046 | $16.37 |
| 4 | Westside | $33,669 | $16.19 |
| 5 | Goleta Union School District | $33,551 | $16.13 |
| 6 | Pasadena Unified School District | $32,660 | $15.70 |
| 7 | Joliet Schools 86 | $32,119 | $15.44 |
| 8 | Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy | $31,842 | $15.31 |
| 9 | San Luis Coastal Unified School District | $31,224 | $15.01 |
| 10 | Chino Valley Unified School District | $31,036 | $14.92 |
| 11 | Paso Robles Joint Unified School District | $30,285 | $14.56 |
| 12 | Petaluma City Schools | $30,145 | $14.49 |
| 13 | Rock Island Senior High School | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| 14 | Fallbrook Union High School District | $27,190 | $13.07 |
| 15 | Zeeland Christian School | $25,085 | $12.06 |
The average playground supervisor salary has risen by $5,347 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average playground supervisor earned $31,479 annually, but today, they earn $36,826 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for playground supervisors over the last decade.
Compare playground supervisor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare playground supervisor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,800 | $17.71 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $35,600 | $17.11 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $34,600 | $16.62 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $34,000 | $16.37 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $33,500 | $16.12 | +3.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlap Community Unit School | Lunchroom/Playground Supervisor (2278) | Peoria, IL | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Illinois Association of School | Playground and Lunch Supervisor | East Moline, IL | 06/26/2025 | $33,392 |
| Oakland Schools | Lunch Playground Supervisor Spring Mills Elementary (Edustaff) | Highland, MI | 06/26/2025 | $29,740 |
| Snoqualmie Valley School District | Paraeducator I; Playground/Supervision | Snoqualmie, WA | 06/21/2025 | $48,982 |
| White Bear Lake Area Schools #624 | North Star Lunchroom/Playground Supervisor | Nore, MN | 06/18/2025 | $44,390 |
| New Lenox School District 122 | Playground/Lunch Supervisor | Kane, IL | 06/03/2025 | $31,305 |
| Palos School District 118 | Playground Supervisor | Kane, IL | 06/03/2025 | $39,444 |
| Minot Public Schools | Playground Supervisor/Paraprofessional ERI | Nome, ND | 05/16/2025 | $37,796 |
| Minot Public School | Playground Supervisor/Paraprofessional ED | Minot Air Force Base, ND | 05/15/2025 | $37,796 |
| Dunlap Community Unit School | Lunchroom/Playground Supervisor (2024) | Peoria, IL | 04/18/2025 | $29,218 |
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