SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · 10 metro areas compared
In Seattle, WA the median wage for Recreation Workers reaches $45,990 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Seattle, WA the median wage for Recreation Workers reaches $45,990 a year. That is 25.8% more than the national median of $36,560. Pay ranges from under $36,600 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,070 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,280 to $51,800.
The area has 3,600 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Bellingham records the highest median at $44,640. Of the 693 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 635th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,600 | +0.1% |
| 25th | $39,280 | +7.4% |
| Median (50th) | $45,990 | +25.8% |
| 75th | $51,800 | +41.7% |
| 90th | $61,070 | +67.0% |
| Mean | $47,840 | +30.9% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellingham | $44,640 | 260 | |
| 2 | Kennewick | $43,460 | 120 | |
| 3 | Mount Vernon | $43,380 | 160 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $43,060 | 220 | |
| 5 | Olympia | $40,330 | 210 | |
| 6 | Walla Walla | $40,250 | 50 | |
| 7 | Spokane | $39,260 | 510 | |
| 8 | Yakima | $38,820 | 170 | |
| 9 | Wenatchee | $37,600 | 120 | |
| 10 | Longview | $37,450 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Seattle run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $45,990 buys what $42,981 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,981US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,990 a year, 25.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,600 to $61,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,600 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bellingham, at $44,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Seattle, WA?
The median annual wage is $45,990, or $22.11 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 Seattle, WA is 25.8% 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 Seattle, WA earns more than $61,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,600 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 Bellingham, at $44,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,600 jobs in this occupation in Seattle, WA. 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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