Recreation Program Leader Salary in the United States

How much does a Recreation Program Leader make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Recreation Program Leader in the United States is $46,915 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Recreation Program Leader's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,086
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,261 to $52,239
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,113
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,261 10% $36,113 90% $57,086 75% $52,239 $46,915 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Recreation Program Leader Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,239 $4,353 $1,005 $25
Average $46,915 $3,910 $902 $23
25th Percentile $41,261 $3,438 $793 $20
Check out Recreation Program Leader Job Openings in the United States
Supervisory Roles All Counties

Helen Ross McNabb Center - KNOXVILLE, TN

Child Care Program Leader

Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County - LOVELAND, CO

Subcontracts Program Management Leader

Lockheed Martin - MOORESTOWN, NJ

Integrated Program Planning Associate Manager IV

Lockheed Martin - KING OF PRUSSIA, PA

Search More Recreation Program Leader Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Recreation Program Leader Salaries

A Recreation Program Leader's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Recreation Program Leader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Recreation Program Leader's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,626
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $45,057
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $46,915
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $48,481
  • Expert (over 8 years): $48,872
Levels Salary
Entry Level Recreation Program Leader$44,626
Intermediate Level Recreation Program Leader$45,057
Senior Level Recreation Program Leader$46,915
Specialist Level Recreation Program Leader$48,481
Expert Level Recreation Program Leader$48,872
$44,626 0 yr
$45,057 < 2 yrs
$46,915 2-4 yrs
$48,481 5-8 yrs
$48,872 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Recreation Program Leader Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Recreation Program Leaders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $51,945.
  • California: $51,747.
  • Massachusetts: $51,058.

Top Paying Cities for Recreation Program Leaders

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $59,174
  • San Francisco: $58,592
  • Oakland: $57,293

What Skills Can Increase a Recreation Program Leader's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.17% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Therapeutic Recreation (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Therapeutic recreation is a type of therapy that uses activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of patients with an illness or disability and help them develop skills for daily living.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.17%
Therapeutic Recreation 2.93%
Cash Handling 1.23%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Recreation Program Leader's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$50,668
8%
Problem Solving
$49,261
5%
Commitment
$49,261
5%
Coaching
$48,792
4%
Leadership
$48,792
4%
Presentation
$48,792
4%
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How Education impacts a Recreation Program Leader's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Recreation Program Leaders enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Recreation Program Leader with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,086 and $53,444).

Recreation Program Leader Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Recreation Program Leader
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.0%
High School 5.0%
Associates 8.5%
Bachelors 57.4%
Masters 28.4%
Doctorate 0.7%
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Recreation Program Leader Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Recreation Program Leader's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Recreation Program Leader

Salaries for a Recreation Program Leader can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,768 in 2023 to around $49,875 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Recreation Program Leader salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Recreation Program Leader Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,768
2024
$50,227
2025
$49,875
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,768
2024 $50,227
2025 $49,875
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Recreation Program Leader

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Recreation Program Leader

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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