SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Northwest Virginia
Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $32,540 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 11.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwest Virginia, VA is $32,540 a year, trailing the national median of $36,560 by 11.0%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $28,130 and $37,950. The lowest tenth earn under $26,170, while the highest tenth earn more than $47,190.
Within the state, Virginia Beach records the highest median at $37,050. Of the 260 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 236th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,170 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $28,130 | −23.1% |
| Median (50th) | $32,540 | −11.0% |
| 75th | $37,950 | +3.8% |
| 90th | $47,190 | +29.1% |
| Mean | $35,130 | −3.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $37,050 | 2,310 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $36,360 | 330 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $34,700 | 1,320 | |
| 4 | Harrisonburg | $34,000 | — | |
| 5 | Lynchburg | $33,970 | — | |
| 6 | Winchester | $33,770 | 110 | |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $33,660 | 220 | |
| 8 | Roanoke | $33,210 | 540 | |
| 9 | Staunton | $32,150 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $32,540 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$32,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,186US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,540 a year, 11.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,170 to $47,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $37,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Northwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $32,540, or $15.65 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 Virginia, VA is 11.0% 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 Virginia, VA earns more than $47,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,170 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 Virginia Beach, at $37,050 per year.
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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