SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
At $36,840, median pay for Recreation Workers in East Kentucky, KY tracks the national median of $36,560 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,840, median pay for Recreation Workers in East Kentucky, KY tracks the national median of $36,560 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,060 and $42,920. The lowest tenth earn under $21,970, while the highest tenth earn more than $46,980.
Employment stands at 180, or 1.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Elizabethtown leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $35,460. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 192nd of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,970 | −39.9% |
| 25th | $29,060 | −20.5% |
| Median (50th) | $36,840 | +0.8% |
| 75th | $42,920 | +17.4% |
| 90th | $46,980 | +28.5% |
| Mean | $37,130 | +1.6% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabethtown | $35,460 | 70 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $32,720 | 540 | |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $30,190 | 1,310 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $29,180 | 230 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $28,380 | 70 | |
| 6 | Owensboro | $27,000 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,840 goes as far as $40,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,840 a year, 0.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,970 to $46,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elizabethtown, at $35,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $36,840, or $17.71 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 Kentucky, KY is 0.8% higher. 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 Kentucky, KY earns more than $46,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,970 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 Elizabethtown, at $35,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in East Kentucky, KY. 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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