SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $38,270 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $36,560.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $38,270 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $36,560. Half of workers earn between $27,570 and $42,270. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,140 and the ninetieth at $49,710.
The area has 820 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Asheville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,820. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 357th of 472 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,140 | −39.4% |
| 25th | $27,570 | −24.6% |
| Median (50th) | $38,270 | +4.7% |
| 75th | $42,270 | +15.6% |
| 90th | $49,710 | +36.0% |
| Mean | $36,460 | −0.3% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $36,820 | 410 | |
| 2 | Wilmington | $36,730 | 290 | |
| 3 | Goldsboro | $35,400 | 50 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $34,590 | 80 | |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $33,700 | 130 | |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $32,920 | 510 | |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $32,720 | 410 | |
| 8 | Durham | $31,720 | 890 | |
| 9 | Charlotte | $31,580 | 2,280 | |
| 10 | Hickory | $31,280 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $38,270 goes as far as $40,583 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,270as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,583US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,270 a year, 4.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,140 to $49,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 820 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $36,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Western North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $38,270, or $18.40 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 Western North Carolina, NC is 4.7% 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 Western North Carolina, NC earns more than $49,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,140 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 Asheville, at $36,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 820 jobs in this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC. 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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