Best cities for a recreation leader
The best cities for recreation leaders are Gilbert, AZ, Scottsdale, AZ, and Detroit, MI, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for recreation leaders vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for recreation leaders in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a recreation leader or considering a move, this list of the best cities for recreation leaders to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for recreation leaders. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a recreation leader. While the absolute best city for recreation leaders is Gilbert, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for recreation leaders in 2024.
If you're looking for a recreation leader job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for recreation leaders in 2025
1. Gilbert, AZ
Total recreation leader jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $29,698 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 73.01 2. Scottsdale, AZ
Total recreation leader jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $29,709 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 28.30 3. Detroit, MI
Total recreation leader jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $29,578 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 0.56 4. Raleigh, NC
Total recreation leader jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $32,213 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 1.81 5. Reno, NV
Total recreation leader jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $30,589 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $38,000 Location quotient: 3.13 6. Durham, NC
Total recreation leader jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $32,238 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Las Vegas, NV
Total recreation leader jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $29,893 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Omaha, NE
Total recreation leader jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,429 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Henderson, NV
Total recreation leader jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $29,851 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $37,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Lincoln, NE
Total recreation leader jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,421 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for recreation leaders
- Gilbert, AZ
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Detroit, MI
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Durham, NC
- Las Vegas, NV
- Omaha, NE
- Henderson, NV
- Lincoln, NE
- (15 recreation leader jobs)
- (25 recreation leader jobs)
- (1 recreation leader jobs)
- (4 recreation leader jobs)
- (2 recreation leader jobs)
- (0 recreation leader jobs)
- (0 recreation leader jobs)
- (0 recreation leader jobs)
- (0 recreation leader jobs)
- (0 recreation leader jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a recreation leader
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilbert, AZ | $29,698 | $23,000 | 237,133 | 15 |
| 2 | Scottsdale, AZ | $29,709 | $23,000 | 246,645 | 25 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $29,578 | $23,000 | 672,795 | 1 |
| 4 | Raleigh, NC | $32,213 | $25,000 | 458,880 | 4 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $30,589 | $24,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $32,238 | $25,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $29,893 | $23,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 8 | Omaha, NE | $38,429 | $30,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 9 | Henderson, NV | $29,851 | $23,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 10 | Lincoln, NE | $38,421 | $30,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 11 | Greensboro, NC | $32,199 | $25,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 12 | North Las Vegas, NV | $29,828 | $23,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 13 | Winston-Salem, NC | $32,177 | $25,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 14 | El Paso, TX | $29,689 | $23,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $31,977 | $25,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 16 | Glendale, AZ | $29,793 | $23,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 17 | Brookhaven, NY | $36,024 | $28,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $29,769 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 19 | Chandler, AZ | $29,720 | $23,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 20 | Islip, NY | $35,871 | $28,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $33,968 | $27,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 22 | Oyster Bay, NY | $35,821 | $28,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 23 | Buffalo, NY | $35,083 | $27,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 24 | Mesa, AZ | $29,688 | $23,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 25 | Hempstead, NY | $35,689 | $28,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 26 | Tucson, AZ | $29,530 | $23,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 27 | New York, NY | $35,599 | $28,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 28 | Laredo, TX | $28,743 | $23,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 29 | Stockton, CA | $34,075 | $27,000 | 307,072 | 16 |
| 30 | Saint Paul, MN | $29,138 | $23,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 31 | San Antonio, TX | $28,481 | $22,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 32 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,123 | $23,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 33 | Lubbock, TX | $28,476 | $22,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 34 | Oakland, CA | $34,307 | $27,000 | 420,005 | 4 |
| 35 | Lexington, KY | $26,336 | $21,000 | 318,449 | 1 |
| 36 | Corpus Christi, TX | $28,339 | $22,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 37 | Austin, TX | $28,210 | $22,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 38 | Seattle, WA | $31,557 | $24,000 | 704,352 | 8 |
| 39 | Washington, DC | $36,890 | $29,000 | 681,170 | 3 |
| 40 | Fort Worth, TX | $27,862 | $22,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 41 | Houston, TX | $27,840 | $22,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 42 | Sacramento, CA | $33,990 | $27,000 | 495,234 | 8 |
| 43 | Long Beach, CA | $32,990 | $26,000 | 470,130 | 13 |
| 44 | Arlington, TX | $27,837 | $22,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 45 | Irving, TX | $27,827 | $22,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 46 | Nashville, TN | $25,619 | $20,000 | 660,388 | 5 |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $27,810 | $22,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 48 | Plano, TX | $27,808 | $22,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 49 | Louisville, KY | $26,299 | $21,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 50 | San Francisco, CA | $34,350 | $27,000 | 870,887 | - |
Highest paying cities for recreation leaders
| Rank | City | Avg. recreation leader salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $35,599 |
| 2 | South San Francisco, CA | $34,336 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $32,213 |
| 4 | Auburn, WA | $31,715 |
| 5 | Medford, OR | $30,774 |
| 6 | Scottsdale, AZ | $29,709 |
| 7 | Edina, MN | $29,075 |
| 8 | Colorado Springs, CO | $28,659 |
| 9 | Farmers Branch, TX | $27,822 |
| 10 | Bozeman, MT | $26,806 |
| 11 | Florissant, MO | $26,524 |
| 12 | Gainesville, FL | $26,326 |
| 13 | Rock Hill, SC | $25,744 |
| 14 | Baltimore, MD | $25,337 |
| 15 | Norristown, PA | $25,327 |
| 16 | Oklahoma City, OK | $23,907 |
| 17 | Farmington, NM | $23,180 |
| 18 | Des Moines, IA | $22,834 |











