SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Northwest Illinois
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Illinois, IL is $31,730 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 Northwest Illinois, IL is $31,730 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 13.2%. Half of workers earn between $31,200 and $36,950. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,200 and the ninetieth at $45,410.
The area has 400 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.48 — 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 309th of 326 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −14.7% |
| 25th | $31,200 | −14.7% |
| Median (50th) | $31,730 | −13.2% |
| 75th | $36,950 | +1.1% |
| 90th | $45,410 | +24.2% |
| Mean | $36,040 | −1.4% |
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 Northwest Illinois sit close to the national average, so $31,730 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$31,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,730US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $31,730 a year, 13.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $45,410 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 Northwest Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $31,730, 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 Northwest Illinois, IL 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 Northwest Illinois, IL earns more than $45,410 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 Northwest 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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