Campus Recreation Salary Report 2026

This report is the most current benchmark available for compensation in campus recreation. Drawing on data from 918 professionals at 364 institutions, it breaks down salaries by functional role, region, institution type, enrollment size, and program area, giving you a clear picture of how pay compares across the field of campus recreation.

Whether you’re evaluating your own compensation, building a case for a raise, or setting pay ranges for an open position, this report gives you real numbers instead of guesswork. It’s the first salary benchmark released for the industry since before the pandemic, and much has changed in how recreation centers are staffed and how job responsibilities look since the last extensive report.

If you contributed your salary data during this year’s collection period, check your email for details on how to claim your free access. Or contact NIRSA staff if you have any questions.