Recreation Worker salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Recreation Workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $30,190 a year ($14.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,280 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 7% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $32,400. There are 1.9 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| 25th percentile | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Median | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| 75th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Average (mean) | $33,180 | $15.95 |
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 | $2,515.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,257.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,161.15 |
| Weekly | $580.58 |
| Hourly | $14.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $35,990 | 170 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $35,830 | 13,670 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $35,460 | 70 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $35,450 | 160 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $32,720 | 540 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $30,640 | 200 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,570 | 2,750 |
| Columbus, IN | $30,420 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $30,240 | 200 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,190 | 660 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $29,980 | 460 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $29,880 | 2,670 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,300 | 400 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,180 | 180 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $29,180 | 230 |
| Muncie, IN | $28,930 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,520 | 100 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,390 | 180 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $28,380 | 70 |
| Kokomo, IN | $28,320 | 110 |
| Owensboro, KY | $27,000 | 150 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Residential Advisor | $25,310 | $12.17 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Animal Trainer | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Concierge | $32,370 | $15.56 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $30,190 a year, or $14.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $45,280 a year. The top 25% earn $35,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,360 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $27,920 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 1,310 recreation workers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.