SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Durham, NC is $31,720 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 13.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Durham, NC is $31,720 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 13.2%. Half of workers earn between $24,000 and $39,690. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,190 and the ninetieth at $51,780.
The area has 890 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.6 of every thousand jobs. Asheville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,820. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 438th of 453 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,190 | −36.6% |
| 25th | $24,000 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $31,720 | −13.2% |
| 75th | $39,690 | +8.6% |
| 90th | $51,780 | +41.6% |
| Mean | $35,140 | −3.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $36,820 | 410 | |
| 2 | Wilmington | $36,730 | 290 | |
| 3 | Goldsboro | $35,400 | 50 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $34,590 | 80 | |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $33,700 | 130 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $32,920 | 510 | |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $32,720 | 410 | |
| 8 | Charlotte | $31,580 | 2,280 | |
| 9 | Hickory | $31,280 | 220 | |
| 10 | Greensboro | $30,550 | 550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $31,720 goes as far as $33,637 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$31,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,637US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,720 a year, 13.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,190 to $51,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 890 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $36,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $31,720, or $15.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $36,560, so pay in Durham, NC is 13.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $51,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,190 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Asheville, at $36,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 890 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data