Recreation Worker salary in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Recreation Workers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn a median of $34,710 a year ($16.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,400 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $35,710. There are 1.4 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $36,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,460 | $12.24 |
| 25th percentile | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| Median | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| 75th percentile | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Average (mean) | $36,650 | $17.62 |
Half of recreation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,892.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,446.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,335 |
| Weekly | $667.50 |
| Hourly | $16.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Recreation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Johnstown, PA | $36,330 | 120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $35,980 | 1,540 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $35,710 | 5,160 |
| Lancaster, PA | $35,640 | 490 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $35,090 | 230 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $35,050 | 110 |
| Lebanon, PA | $34,860 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $34,620 | 610 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $34,580 | 440 |
| Altoona, PA | $34,520 | 160 |
| Reading, PA | $33,510 | 290 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $33,480 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $32,410 | 250 |
| State College, PA | $31,450 | 230 |
| Williamsport, PA | $29,610 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for recreation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $46,460 |
| Washington | $44,890 |
| South Dakota | $42,270 |
| Hawaii | $41,000 |
| California | $39,780 |
| Oregon | $39,610 |
| Colorado | $38,820 |
| Massachusetts | $38,540 |
| New York | $38,040 |
| Alaska | $37,510 |
See Recreation Worker pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Residential Advisor | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,060 | $14.94 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $29,360 | $14.11 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,770 | $14.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| Skincare Specialist | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Concierge | $39,450 | $18.96 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $29,900 | $14.38 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,380 | $17.01 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area is $34,710 a year, or $16.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area earn at least $50,400 a year. The top 25% earn $39,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,460 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $30,340 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA?
About 480 recreation workers are employed in the Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.