How much does a recreation worker make in Des Moines?
$36,150a year
Median yearly pay for recreation workers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $17.38 an hour or $3,013 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.38
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 111 of 387
- Jobs in the area
- 630
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,860Median: $36,150Highest 10%: $49,040
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,860 | $13.39 | |
| 25th | $30,800 | $14.81 | |
| Median | $36,150 | $17.38 | |
| 75th | $42,810 | $20.58 | |
| 90th | $49,040 | $23.58 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for recreation workers.
| Dubuque, IA | $36,660 |
| Sioux City, IA | $35,700 |
| Omaha, NE | $34,630 |
| Iowa City, IA | $31,740 |
| Davenport, IA | $31,280 |
| Ames, IA | $31,110 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $29,740 |
| Waterloo, IA | $29,700 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Mortician | $70,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker | $42,040 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker | $38,920 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,730 |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $38,700 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,310 |
| Hairdresser | $35,640 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,950 |
| Personal Care and Service Worker | $30,700 |
| Childcare Worker | $29,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $17.38 ($36,150 a year).
Do recreation workers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $36,150 against $36,560 nationally, 1% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $33,700, so Des Moines pays 7% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for recreation worker pay?
111 of 387 metro areas with data.
How much does a recreation worker make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,860 or less a year; the top 10% make $49,040 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.