### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Recreation Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			recreation workers imageRecreation workers may lead children in nature study activities at a day camp.							
						Quick Facts:     Recreation Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$34,410     per year
										$16.55     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Short-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    289,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    13,400What Recreation Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Recreation workers organize, conduct, and promote a variety of group activities for leisure and other purposes.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Recreation workers are employed in a variety of settings, including recreation centers, parks, and summer camps. Most work full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours.
            
                                                How to Become a Recreation Worker
                                                
                        
Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, although requirements may vary by type of job. Once hired, these workers typically need a short period of on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for recreation workers was $34,410 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of recreation workers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 61,700 openings for recreation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about recreation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Recreation Workers Do 
            

			Recreation workersRecreation workers lead groups in activities such as arts and crafts.			
Recreation workers organize, conduct, and promote a variety of group activities for leisure and other purposes. Activities may include arts and crafts, sports, or music.
Duties
Recreation workers typically do the following:
Organize, conduct, and promote recreational activities
Explain the rules of activities and instruct participants at a variety of skill levels
Modify activities to suit the needs of specific participants, such as seniors
Explain safety procedures to reduce and prevent injuries
Administer basic first aid as needed
Perform administrative tasks, such as helping participants complete paperworkDuties of recreation workers vary by job title, level of training, and other factors. For example, *camp counselors* work directly with youths in overnight or day camps and guide participants in activities and interactions with others.
Recreation workers may specialize in a particular activity, such as swimming, drama, or arts and crafts*.* They also may organize and promote a number of recreation programs for one or more facilities. Some recreation workers assist others at every phase, such as by setting up equipment, helping participants during activities, and cleaning and maintaining the equipment or facility.
In addition, recreation workers sometimes have office duties. For example, they may assist participants in completing forms or create calendars and newsletters to promote certain activities or programs.
Workers in similar occupations may focus on recreation with a different purpose. For example, entertainment and recreation managers plan and direct activities and operations related to fitness and leisure. Recreational therapists use medical-based activities to treat people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Self-enrichment teachers instruct participants in activities for personal improvement or recreation.
 Work Environment
			Recreation workersActivity specialists who teach dance usually provide instruction indoors.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Recreation workers held about 289,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of recreation workers were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                30%Nursing and residential care facilities
                20Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
                12Other amusement and recreation industries
                9Educational services; state, local, and private
                9Recreation workers may spend much of their time outdoors leading activities such as hiking or soccer. Others coordinate indoor activities, such as drama or karate. Workers who plan programs and events may spend much of their time in an office.
Recreation workers may risk injury while participating in physical activities.
Work Schedules
Most recreation workers are full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours. For example, camp counselors may work primarily in the evening or on weekends, or they may be employed only during the summer.
 How to Become a Recreation Worker

			Recreation workersRecreation workers maintain order and safety.			
Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, although requirements may vary by type of job. Once hired, these workers typically need a short period of on-the-job training.
Education and Training
Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation.
Requirements vary based on the type of position. For some jobs, such as organizing after-school programs at a community center, candidates may qualify with a high school diploma and receive training of a month or less after they are hired.
For other positions, such as coordinating activities at a residential care facility, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in recreation and fitness or a related field. A list of accredited bachelor’s degree programs is available from the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions, a branch of theNational Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some employers require recreation workers to have certifications such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or first aid. Employers also may require recreation workers to have a valid driver’s license and to pass a background check.
Optional certification for recreation workers is offered by organizations such as the NRPA and the American Camp Association. Eligibility varies based on education and work experience.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Recreation workers must be able to give clear instructions, often to large groups.
***Flexibility.*** Recreation workers must be able to adapt plans and activities to suit changing conditions and participants’ needs.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Recreation workers must be compatible with different types of people, sometimes within a single group.
***Leadership skills.*** Recreation workers should be able to coordinate both large and small groups, as well as groups of varying ages and abilities.
***Motivational skills.***Recreation workers should be able to inspire participants so that they enjoy activities.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Recreation WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Recreation workers$34,410  Personal care and service occupations$34,260Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for recreation workers was $34,410 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,040, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $49,690.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for recreation workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Nursing and residential care facilities
                $35,570Educational services; state, local, and private
                34,850Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                34,350Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations
                34,220Other amusement and recreation industries
                30,370Most recreation workers are full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours. For example, camp counselors may work primarily in the evening or on weekends, or they may be employed only during the summer.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Recreation WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Personal care and service occupations6%  Recreation workers5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of recreation workers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 61,700 openings for recreation workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
An increased emphasis on the importance of lifelong well-being is expected to create demand for recreation workers in a variety of settings, including fitness and recreational sports centers, country clubs, and other organizations. Parks and recreation departments may contract out the services of activity specialists.
In addition, there will be more demand for recreation workers to work with older clients, especially in continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities.
			

                        Employment projections data for     recreation workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Recreation workers**
			39-9032
			289,400
			302,700
			5
			13,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Recreation workers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of recreation workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletic Trainers**
            Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
            Master's degree
            $57,930**Fitness Trainers and Instructors**
            Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,480**Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners**
            Meeting, convention, and event planners arrange all aspects of events and professional gatherings.
            Bachelor's degree
            $56,920**Recreational Therapists**
            Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.
            Bachelor's degree
            $57,120**Rehabilitation Counselors**
            Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
            Master's degree
            $44,040**School and Career Counselors and Advisors**
            School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
            Master's degree
            $61,710**Exercise Physiologists**
            Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $54,860**Athletes and Sports Competitors**
            Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
            No formal educational credential
            $70,280**Social Workers**
            Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
            See How to Become One
            $58,380
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information on careers, certification, and academic programs in parks and recreation, visit
National Recreation and Park Association
For more information about camp counselors, visit
American Camp Association
For more information about first aid and CPR certifications, visit
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
CareerOneStop
For a career video on recreation workers, visit
Recreation Workers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Recreation Workers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Recreation Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/recreation-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Tuesday, April 30, 2024


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