Recreation Workers Salary in Madison, WI
Recreation Workers in Madison, WI make a median of $33,500 a year, or about $16.11 an hour. The range runs from $27K at the entry level to $45K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.29), that's roughly $34,433 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,168/month — about 51.1% 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 Madison?
About recreation workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Madison, WI
Entry-level recreation workers (10th percentile) start around $27K. Mid-career wages sit at $34K.Top earners bring in $45K or more - a $18K 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 Madison numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
How much do recreation workers make in Madison, WI?
The median is $33,500 a year - that works out to about $16.11 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $26,960, and experienced recreation workers can clear $44,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $34K enough to live in Madison?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,348/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,168/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.7% 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 Madison?
Madison has a Regional Price Parity of 97.29 (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 $34,433 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.