Recreation Workers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Recreation Workers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA make a median of $33,140 a year, or about $15.93 an hour. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $47K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $36,140 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 58.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $33K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About recreation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level recreation workers (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $33K.Top earners bring in $47K or more - a $19K 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do recreation workers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $33,140 a year - that works out to about $15.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $27,820, and experienced recreation workers can clear $46,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $33K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,267/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 58.1% 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median recreation workers salary is worth about $36,140 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.