Recreation Program Leader Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Recreation Program Leader in the United States is $46,878 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): $56,496
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,047 to $51,912
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,738
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,047 10% $35,738 90% $56,496 75% $51,912 $46,878 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Recreation Program Leader Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $51,912 $4,326 $998 $25
Average $46,878 $3,906 $901 $23
25th Percentile $41,047 $3,421 $789 $20
Check out Recreation Program Leader Job Openings in the United States
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Local CDL

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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 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: $51,903.
  • California: $51,706.
  • Massachusetts: $51,017.

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: $59,127
  • San Francisco: $58,480
  • Oakland: $57,247

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
$50,628
8%
Problem Solving
$49,222
5%
Commitment
$49,222
5%
Coaching
$48,753
4%
Leadership
$48,753
4%
Presentation
$48,753
4%
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Recreation Program Leader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Recreation Program Leader roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Recreation Program Leader positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Recreation Program Leader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Recreation Program Leader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$53,909$26.015%

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 August 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

Here are companies hiring for Recreation Program Leader and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Recreation Program Leader Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Recreation Program Leader job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

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    15 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    17 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    18 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    18 Days Ago

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FAQ about Recreation Program Leader

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Recreation Program Leader?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Recreation Program Leader roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.

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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