Occupation salary profile

Recreation Workers

SOC 39-9032 BLS OEWS May 2025

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

National median · BLS
$36,560
▲ +3.34% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$38,520
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
331,490
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Recreation Workers

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$27,600
25th$31,780
Median (50th)$36,560
75th$43,470
90th — top pay$50,410

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Recreation Workers

BLS projects employment of recreation workers to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 67,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
346,900 → 361,900
+15,000 jobs
Projected change
+4.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
67,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.2% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 4)
Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Recreation Workers

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Active Listening4.0
  • Coordination4.0
  • Service Orientation4.0
  • Social Perceptiveness4.0
  • Speaking4.0
  • Instructing3.8
  • Monitoring3.8
  • Critical Thinking3.3
  • Time Management3.3
  • Active Learning3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • English Language4.1
  • Public Safety and Security3.8
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Education and Training3.5
  • Law and Government3.4
  • Psychology3.2
  • Administrative3.1
  • Computers and Electronics3.0
Software and technology used
Microsoft Office softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordAppletreeCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDatabase softwareGroupMeMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft PublisherRecordkeeping softwareScheduling softwareYouTube

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What recreation workers do

  • Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
  • Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
  • Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
  • Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
  • Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
  • Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.
  • Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
  • Direct special activities or events, such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts.
Also called
Activities DirectorActivity AideActivity DirectorRecreation SupervisorActivities AssistantActivity AssistantActivity CoordinatorRecreation AssistantRecreation Coordinator
More job titles for this occupation (58)
Activities AideActivities AssociateActivities CoordinatorActivities CounselorActivities LeaderActivity LeaderActivity SpecialistCamp AdvisorCamp CounselorCamp DirectorCommunity Program AssistantDay Camp CounselorField AdvisorField RepresentativeField ScoutFitness Plan CoordinatorFitness WorkerGroup Work Program AideGuest AdvisorGuest AssociateLife Enrichment ManagerMemory Care Activities AssistantPark Recreation ManagerParks Recreation CoordinatorParks Recreation DirectorPlay LeaderPlayground DirectorPlayground OfficialPlayground WorkerRecreation Activities CoordinatorRecreation AideRecreation CounselorRecreation DirectorRecreation LeaderRecreation SpecialistRecreation TechnicianRecreation WorkerRecreational Activities AideRecreational Activities AssistantRecreational AideRecreational AssistantRecreational CounselorRecreational LeaderRecreational SpecialistSocial DirectorSpecial Events CoordinatorSummer Camp CounselorSummer Camp InstructorSummer Camp TeacherSummer CounselorSummer Day Camp CounselorTeen CounselorTherapeutic Activities Services WorkerTherapeutic Recreation AssistantTherapeutic Recreation DirectorTherapeutic Recreation LeaderTherapeutic Recreation SpecialistYouth Worker

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.