Recreation Workers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Recreation Workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $34,100 a year, or about $16.4 an hour. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $32,918 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 76.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $34K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About recreation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level recreation workers (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K.Top earners bring in $46K or more - a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Recreation Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46K | +29% | 510 |
| Washington | $44K | +24% | 4,630 |
| South Dakota | $41K | +17% | 570 |
| Alaska | $40K | +13% | 430 |
| North Dakota | $38K | +7% | 930 |
| California | $38K | +6% | 48,580 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +6% | 6,430 |
| Oregon | $37K | +6% | 3,980 |
| New York | $37K | +5% | 19,550 |
| Vermont | $37K | +5% | 840 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +4% | 10,730 |
| Rhode Island | $36K | +2% | 710 |
| Maine | $36K | +2% | 1,280 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +1% | 8,040 |
| Connecticut | $36K | +0% | 4,870 |
Track recreation workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do recreation workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $34,100 a year - that works out to about $16.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,900, and experienced recreation workers can clear $45,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,313/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 77% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a recreation workers salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median recreation workers salary is worth about $32,918 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do recreation workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.