Recreation Worker salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Recreation Workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $38,340 a year ($18.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,690 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $36,560. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $39,780. There are 2.8 recreation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for recreation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Median | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| 75th percentile | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,690 | $27.26 |
| Average (mean) | $43,410 | $20.87 |
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 | $3,195 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,597.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,474.62 |
| Weekly | $737.31 |
| Hourly | $18.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $57,580 | 2,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,290 | 6,510 |
| Napa, CA | $42,670 | 240 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,380 | 4,200 |
| Yuba City, CA | $40,100 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $40,010 | 760 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,990 | 550 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $38,930 | 1,030 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,870 | 430 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,820 | 2,810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,790 | 17,850 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,260 | 550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,060 | 1,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,960 | 990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $37,850 | 3,380 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,230 | 1,000 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,080 | 900 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $37,010 | 350 |
| Merced, CA | $36,790 | 160 |
| Visalia, CA | $36,630 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $35,970 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $35,320 | 430 |
| Redding, CA | $35,230 | 260 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,900 | 80 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Childcare Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Animal Caretaker | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $44,270 | $21.29 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for recreation workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $38,340 a year, or $18.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid recreation workers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of recreation workers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $56,690 a year. The top 25% earn $47,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for recreation workers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,690 a year, and a quarter of recreation workers earn $37,330 or less.
How many recreation workers work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 280 recreation workers are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.