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

Entertainment and Recreation Managers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			Group of people outdoors with a fitness instructor.							
						Quick Facts:     Entertainment and Recreation Managers2023     Median Pay
            						$73,460     per year
										$35.32     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    Less than 5 yearsOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    26,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    8% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    2,200What Entertainment and Recreation Managers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Entertainment and recreation managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities and operations related to fitness and leisure.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Entertainment and recreation managers typically work in various office settings, such as in recreational facilities or on cruise ships. However, many also spend time at event sites or outdoors, such as in parks. Most work full time. Work schedules may vary and can include nights, weekends, and holidays.
            
                                                How to Become an Entertainment or Recreation Manager
                                                
                        
Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers was $73,460 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow							 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 3,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers 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 entertainment and recreation managers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Entertainment and Recreation Managers Do 
            

			Group of people hiking with a guide.Entertainment and recreation managers organize and lead a variety of leisure, wellness, or social activities.			
Entertainment and recreation managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities and operations related to fitness and leisure.
Duties
Entertainment and recreation managers typically do the following:
Plan programs of events or schedules of activities
Write, present, and manage strategies and budgets for events or activities
Manage the daily operation of an event, activity, facility, or program
Engage with customers to convey information about events and activities or to resolve complaints
Explain rules and regulations of facilities and programs
Ensure that facilities and programs are safe and accessible for participants
Hire, train, and direct staffEntertainment and recreation managers organize and lead a variety of leisure, wellness, or social activities. The types of programs they plan and guide may differ by setting, participants, and other factors. For example, on a cruise ship, they may organize arts and crafts activities for children and yoga classes for seniors; for a community center, they may conduct nature hikes based on ability levels from beginner to advanced.
Entertainment and recreation managers often are tasked with creating a positive experience for participants. They ensure that supplies are in stock and inspect equipment, ordering materials or arranging for maintenance as needed. In addition, they evaluate facility services and programs to create or improve offerings, which may involve soliciting input or analyzing customer feedback.
Entertainment and recreation managers also oversee staff orientation and development. Their responsibilities may include recruiting, interviewing, and hiring candidates; training and scheduling workers; monitoring and appraising work; and reassigning staff to meet facility or program needs.
 Work Environment
			Entertainment and recreation managers in an office setting.Entertainment and recreation managers typically work in an office setting and oversee staff.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Entertainment and recreation managers held about 26,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of entertainment and recreation managers were as follows:
        Fitness and recreational sports centers
                18%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                17Self-employed workers
                8Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                6Accommodation and food services
                6Entertainment and recreation managers typically work in an office setting. However, they also may spend time outside their office, performing duties such as checking equipment or interacting with customers. Some managers are required to work outdoors or travel to entertainment or recreation sites.
Work Schedules
Most entertainment and recreation managers work full time. Work schedules may vary and can include nights, weekends, and holidays. Managers may need to work extra hours during peak season, such as for summer vacations at a resort. Some entertainment and recreation managers must be on call in case of emergencies, such as power outages during severe weather.
 How to Become an Entertainment or Recreation Manager

			Personal trainer with a client at the gym.Entertainment and recreation managers may benefit from having work experience in fitness center operations.			
Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important.
Education
Entertainment and recreation managers have a variety of academic backgrounds, ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s or higher degree. Requirements vary by organization and the specific work that managers do. For example, a recreation manager might need a bachelor’s degree in park management, recreation and fitness, or leisure studies. An entertainment manager might need a degree in theater, music, or a related visual or performing arts field.
Some college students participate in internships. Through internships, students gain practical experience in their field of study while completing their education.
Licenses and Certifications
Some states may require a license for certain types of entertainment and recreation managers. For more information, contact your state licensing board.
Safety certifications may be required, but professional certification is usually optional. For example, some employers require entertainment and recreation managers to have first aid or CPR certification. Optional credentials, such as the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification available for recreation managers, may demonstrate a particular level of knowledge and experience.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Experience in a related occupation is important for entertainment and recreation managers. Employers often prefer to hire managers who have experience in supervising others, planning programs or events, or providing customer service in a leisure or hospitality setting.
The type of experience needed may vary by position. For example, some workers benefit from experience with recreation programs or fitness center operations. Other managers might need entertainment, theater, music, or cruise industry experience.
Employers may consider students’ internships as part of the work experience they need for entry-level positions.
Important Qualities
***Business skills.*** Entertainment and recreation managers create, present, and oversee budgets and strategies, such as for a facility’s quarterly activities schedule.
***Communication skills.*** Entertainment and recreation managers must be able to clearly convey information both orally and in writing to customers, suppliers, and staff.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Entertainment and recreation managers interact with customers, staff, and vendors. They must be able to establish and maintain positive relationships with a variety of people.
***Leadership skills*****.** Entertainment and recreation managers direct workers and oversee facilities. They must be able to motivate staff and be decisive in handling operations.
***Organizational skills.*** Entertainment and recreation managers oversee many responsibilities at once, so they must be able to multitask and pay attention to details.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Entertainment and recreation managers must be able to anticipate potential issues and prepare solutions so that customers have a positive experience.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Entertainment and Recreation ManagersMedian annual wages, May 2023Management occupations$116,880  Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling$73,460  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: 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 entertainment and recreation managers was $73,460 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 $42,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $133,680.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for entertainment and recreation managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $89,570Accommodation and food services
                79,890Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                76,040Fitness and recreational sports centers
                62,920Most entertainment and recreation managers work full time. Work schedules may vary and can include nights, weekends, and holidays. Managers may need to work extra hours during peak season, such as for summer vacations at a resort. Some entertainment and recreation managers must be on call in case of emergencies, such as power outages during severe weather.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Entertainment and Recreation ManagersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling8%  Management occupations5%  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 entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow				 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 3,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers 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
	
			
Employment growth will stem from public interest in recreational activities, such as golf and tennis. In addition, an increased emphasis on the importance of lifelong well-being is expected to create demand for entertainment and recreation managers in a variety of settings, including country clubs, fitness centers, and parks.
			

                        Employment projections data for     entertainment and recreation managers, 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**Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling**
			11-9072
			26,400
			28,600
			8
			2,200
			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. Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling **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 entertainment and recreation managers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Administrative Services and Facilities Managers**
            Administrative services and facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently.
            Bachelor's degree
            $104,900**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**Fundraisers**
            Fundraisers organize events and campaigns to raise money and other kinds of donations for an organization.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,160**Lodging Managers**
            Lodging managers ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at an accommodations facility. They also plan, direct, or coordinate activities to ensure that the facility is efficient and profitable.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $65,360**Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners**
            Meeting, convention, and event planners arrange all aspects of events and professional gatherings.
            Bachelor's degree
            $56,920**Recreation Workers**
            Recreation workers design and lead activities to help people stay active, improve fitness, and have fun.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $34,410**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**Travel Agents**
            Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,410
 Contacts for More Information
								
Contacts for More Information
For more information about entertainment and recreation managers, visit
American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)


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                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Entertainment and Recreation Managers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/entertainment-and-recreation-managers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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