SOC 39-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Recreation Workers — Western Washington
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $39,190, median pay for Recreation Workers in Western Washington, WA tracks the national median of $36,560 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $39,190, median pay for Recreation Workers in Western Washington, WA tracks the national median of $36,560 closely. Pay ranges from under $35,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $58,600 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,330 to $48,310.
The area has 340 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.24 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $45,990. Of the 355 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 328th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,180 | −3.8% |
| 25th | $36,330 | −0.6% |
| Median (50th) | $39,190 | +7.2% |
| 75th | $48,310 | +32.1% |
| 90th | $58,600 | +60.3% |
| Mean | $43,590 | +19.2% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $45,990 | 3,600 | |
| 2 | Bellingham | $44,640 | 260 | |
| 3 | Kennewick | $43,460 | 120 | |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | $43,380 | 160 | |
| 5 | Bremerton | $43,060 | 220 | |
| 6 | Olympia | $40,330 | 210 | |
| 7 | Walla Walla | $40,250 | 50 | |
| 8 | Spokane | $39,260 | 510 | |
| 9 | Yakima | $38,820 | 170 | |
| 10 | Wenatchee | $37,600 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $39,190 buys what $36,626 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,626US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,190 a year, 7.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,180 to $58,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $45,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Recreation Workers in Western Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $39,190, or $18.84 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 Washington, WA is 7.2% 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 Washington, WA earns more than $58,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,180 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 Seattle, at $45,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 jobs in this occupation in Western Washington, 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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