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Recreation aide salary
Average recreation aide salary
$13.82
Understanding Recreation Aide Salaries
The salary for a Recreation Aide can vary widely based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the type of organization they work for. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $28,756 annually. For example, those working in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand for recreational services.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, salaries can reach up to $35,000 or more. In contrast, states with lower living costs may offer salaries closer to the national average. Understanding these regional differences can help job seekers identify lucrative opportunities.
Opportunities for Advancement
Recreation Aides can enhance their earnings through additional certifications or by advancing into supervisory roles, which typically command higher salaries. It's advisable for Aides to seek out training programs that bolster their skills and improve their job prospects.
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Where can a Recreation Aide earn more?
Recreation aide salary estimates from across the web
Average recreation aide salary by state
The highest-paying states for recreation aides are Massachusetts, Mississippi, and West Virginia. The lowest average recreation aide salary states are Kentucky, Kansas, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for recreation aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $35,925 | $17.27 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $36,416 | $17.51 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $37,668 | $18.11 |
| 4 | Mississippi | $36,588 | $17.59 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $35,458 | $17.05 |
| 6 | Alaska | $33,527 | $16.12 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $33,543 | $16.13 |
| 8 | Vermont | $34,971 | $16.81 |
| 9 | New York | $34,288 | $16.48 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $34,006 | $16.35 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $30,966 | $14.89 |
| 12 | Washington | $35,377 | $17.01 |
| 13 | Indiana | $28,968 | $13.93 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $30,671 | $14.75 |
| 15 | Oregon | $34,605 | $16.64 |
| 16 | Montana | $29,865 | $14.36 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $31,754 | $15.27 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $28,974 | $13.93 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $33,268 | $15.99 |
| 21 | Idaho | $31,031 | $14.92 |
| 22 | Maryland | $32,058 | $15.41 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $32,580 | $15.66 |
| 24 | Delaware | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| 25 | Michigan | $27,196 | $13.07 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $30,364 | $14.60 |
| 27 | Illinois | $28,725 | $13.81 |
| 28 | Georgia | $28,259 | $13.59 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $26,989 | $12.98 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $32,354 | $15.55 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $25,844 | $12.43 |
| 32 | California | $31,358 | $15.08 |
| 33 | Ohio | $26,062 | $12.53 |
| 34 | Iowa | $24,437 | $11.75 |
| 35 | Alabama | $26,869 | $12.92 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $24,988 | $12.01 |
| 37 | Missouri | $26,040 | $12.52 |
| 38 | Colorado | $27,497 | $13.22 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $22,841 | $10.98 |
| 40 | Arizona | $26,492 | $12.74 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $25,531 | $12.27 |
| 42 | Kansas | $22,334 | $10.74 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| 44 | Florida | $25,798 | $12.40 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $23,799 | $11.44 |
| 46 | Virginia | $25,118 | $12.08 |
| 47 | Utah | $23,238 | $11.17 |
| 48 | Texas | $19,707 | $9.47 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $20,378 | $9.80 |
| 50 | Nevada | $17,509 | $8.42 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $18,353 | $8.82 |
Highest paying cities for recreation aides
The highest-paying cities for recreation aides are Bellingham, WA, Albany, NY, and Tigard, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham, WA | $35,718 | $17.17 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 3 | Tigard, OR | $34,671 | $16.67 |
| 4 | Hartford, CT | $33,125 | $15.93 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| 6 | Dublin, CA | $32,063 | $15.41 |
| 7 | Elizabeth, NJ | $30,474 | $14.65 |
| 8 | Orland Park, IL | $28,693 | $13.79 |
| 9 | Kearney, NE | $28,483 | $13.69 |
| 10 | Pueblo, CO | $27,262 | $13.11 |
| 11 | Battle Creek, MI | $26,729 | $12.85 |
| 12 | Maricopa, AZ | $26,569 | $12.77 |
| 13 | OFallon, MO | $26,265 | $12.63 |
| 14 | Gainesville, FL | $25,815 | $12.41 |
| 15 | La Crosse, WI | $25,612 | $12.31 |
| 16 | Charleston, SC | $25,359 | $12.19 |
| 17 | Harrisonburg, VA | $25,226 | $12.13 |
| 18 | Dayton, OH | $25,065 | $12.05 |
| 19 | Fort Worth, TX | $19,598 | $9.42 |
| 20 | Carson City, NV | $18,183 | $8.74 |
Recreation aide salary details
A recreation aide's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a recreation aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| Average | $28,756 | $2,396 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying recreation aide jobs
The highest paying types of recreation aides are senior counselor, program lead, and group leader.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Camp Counselor | $29,384 | $2,449 | $14.13 | 32,895 |
| Camp Counselor | $24,340 | $2,028 | $11.70 | 28,182 |
| Activities Director | $44,982 | $3,748 | $21.63 | 6,845 |
| Summer Camp Counselor | $25,618 | $2,135 | $12.32 | 31,954 |
| Child Caregiver | $32,065 | $2,672 | $15.42 | 43,573 |
| Personal Care Worker | $29,490 | $2,458 | $14.18 | 129,522 |
Top companies hiring recreation aides now:
Which companies pay recreation aides the most?
Recreation aide salaries at National Park Foundation and Hackensack Meridian Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average recreation aide salary at companies like The New Jewish Home and New York State Restaurant Association are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Park Foundation | $34,231 | $16.46 |
| 2 | Hackensack Meridian Health | $33,310 | $16.01 |
| 3 | The New Jewish Home | $33,136 | $15.93 |
| 4 | New York State Restaurant Association | $32,975 | $15.85 |
| 5 | Woodfield Country Club | $32,932 | $15.83 |
| 6 | Father Martin's Ashley | $32,931 | $15.83 |
| 7 | Long Beach Unified School District | $32,121 | $15.44 |
| 8 | Kaiser Permanente | $31,917 | $15.34 |
| 9 | Fairview Country Club | $31,453 | $15.12 |
| 10 | The Center for Health Care Services | $30,999 | $14.90 |
| 11 | St. Andrews Country Club | $30,919 | $14.86 |
| 12 | Monarch Healthcare | $30,813 | $14.81 |
| 13 | INDIAN RIVER TRANSPORT | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 14 | Duke University Health System | $30,630 | $14.73 |
| 15 | New Bridge Medical Center | $30,526 | $14.68 |
| 16 | W Holding Company | $30,472 | $14.65 |
| 17 | San Juan Unified School District | $30,439 | $14.63 |
| 18 | Martin County | $30,415 | $14.62 |
| 19 | City Of Tolleson | $30,183 | $14.51 |
| 20 | Management & Training | $30,042 | $14.44 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Recreation aide salary trends
The average recreation aide salary has risen by $6,380 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average recreation aide earned $22,376 annually, but today, they earn $28,756 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for recreation aides over the last decade.
Compare recreation aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average recreation aide salary over time
Compare recreation aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Recreation aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,800 | $13.83 | +7.3% |
| 2024 | $26,600 | $12.81 | +4.9% |
| 2023 | $25,300 | $12.18 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $24,800 | $11.93 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $24,100 | $11.60 | +2.3% |
Recently added recreation aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pico de Gallo | Recreation Aide | Los Angeles, CA | 06/29/2025 | $36,523 |
| City of Evans | Recreation Aide III-Concessions & Sports Specialist | Evans, CO | 06/29/2025 | $34,436 |
| City of Miami Garden, Fl | Recreation Aide II | Miami Gardens, FL | 06/28/2025 | $35,360 |
| City of Rockwall | Recreation Aide | Rockwall, TX | 06/28/2025 | $20,870 |
| Department of The Air Force | Recreation Aid | Moody Air Force Base, GA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Bernco | Recreation Aide | Albuquerque, NM | 06/28/2025 | $31,660 |
| Department of The Air Force | Recreation Aid | Dover, DE | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Pico de Gallo | Recreation Aide | Morganfield, KY | 06/27/2025 | $36,523 |
| Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa | Recreational Aide | Nore, MN | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Equitas Academy Charter School | Recreation Aide/Safety Coordinator (EQ) | Los Angeles, CA | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
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