As of October 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Recreation Specialist in Illinois is $62,583, equivalent to $30 per hour, $1,204 weekly, or $5,215 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Recreation Specialist in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Recreation Specialist in Illinois vary widely, spanning from $48,676 to $72,877. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($55,303) and 75th percentile ($67,971), while top earners (90th percentile) make $72,877 per year. This $12,668 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or First Aid, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Illinois Recreation Specialist often earn 1.9% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 86 companies. However, Illinois currently ranks 14 nationwide for Recreation Specialist job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.
