SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — East Central Illinois
East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
In East Central Illinois, IL the median wage is $32,020.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In East Central Illinois, IL the median wage is $32,020. That is 12.4% lower than the national median of $36,560. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,200 and $38,640. The lowest tenth earn under $31,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,830.
The area has 400 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.30 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Kankakee leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,270. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 326th of 342 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −14.7% |
| 25th | $31,200 | −14.7% |
| Median (50th) | $32,020 | −12.4% |
| 75th | $38,640 | +5.7% |
| 90th | $45,830 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $35,820 | −2.0% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kankakee | $36,270 | 90 | |
| 2 | Bloomington | $36,030 | 470 | |
| 3 | Chicago | $35,830 | 13,670 | |
| 4 | Champaign | $33,910 | 300 | |
| 5 | Rockford | $32,980 | 250 | |
| 6 | Peoria | $32,750 | 500 | |
| 7 | Decatur | $31,590 | 70 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $31,530 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Central Illinois sit close to the national average, so $32,020 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$32,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,020US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,020 a year, 12.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $45,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 400 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kankakee, at $36,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in East Central Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $32,020, or $15.40 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 East Central Illinois, IL is 12.4% 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 East Central Illinois, IL earns more than $45,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 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 Kankakee, at $36,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 400 jobs in this occupation in East Central Illinois, IL. 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.
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