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Occupation · SOC 39-9032

Recreation Workers

There are 331,490 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $36,560 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Personal Care & ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
331,490
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$36,560
Median pay a year
Middle half: $31,780–$43,470
67,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.3%
2
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 50% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 384 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $38,440 · LCA filings 021,900$38,4400
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $38,790 · LCA filings 017,850$38,7900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $35,830 · LCA filings 013,670$35,8300
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $36,190 · LCA filings 09,200$36,1900
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $38,770 · LCA filings 08,720$38,7700
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $46,290 · LCA filings 06,510$46,2900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $35,460 · LCA filings 05,610$35,4600
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $32,720 · LCA filings 05,160$32,7200
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $35,710 · LCA filings 05,160$35,7100
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $38,180 · LCA filings 04,960$38,1800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$61,040500
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 2,620 · LCA filings 0$57,5802,6200
College Station–Bryan, TXEmployment 1,170 · LCA filings 0$47,8701,1700
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 6,510 · LCA filings 0$46,2906,5100
Bend, OREmployment 290 · LCA filings 0$46,2302900

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Hilton Head Island–Bluffton–Port Royal, SCEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 28011280

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $38,667 · Level III $42,578 · Level IV $46,509$34,736$38,667$42,578$46,509
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $39,208 · Level III $41,870 · Level IV $44,533$36,546$39,208$41,870$44,533
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $34,965 · Level III $38,272 · Level IV $41,579$31,658$34,965$38,272$41,579
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $36,109 · Level III $39,894 · Level IV $43,680$32,323$36,109$39,894$43,680
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $37,939 · Level III $41,662 · Level IV $45,386$34,216$37,939$41,662$45,386
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $43,930 · Level III $48,776 · Level IV $53,602$39,104$43,930$48,776$53,602
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $33,946 · Level III $37,461 · Level IV $40,955$30,451$33,946$37,461$40,955
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $30,514 · Level III $35,610 · Level IV $40,726$25,397$30,514$35,610$40,726
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $34,757 · Level III $39,374 · Level IV $43,971$30,160$34,757$39,374$43,971
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $36,046 · Level III $40,768 · Level IV $45,469$31,346$36,046$40,768$45,469
Hilton Head Island–Bluffton–Port Royal, SCLevel II $31,283 · Level III $37,627 · Level IV $43,950$24,960$31,283$37,627$43,950

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesCIP 31.01OPT · up to 12 months65OPT · up to 12 months
Outdoor EducationCIP 31.06OPT · up to 12 months2OPT · up to 12 months

See Recreation Workers in every metro area

All 384 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Personal Care & Service

Childcare WorkersAmusement and Recreation AttendantsHairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsExercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsAnimal CaretakersUshers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersManicurists and PedicuristsResidential Advisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology