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Camp director (entertainment and recreation managers): pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$79,520median pay per year, or $38.23 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,270lowest 10% earn less
  2. $61,06025th percentile
  3. $79,520median
  4. $104,77075th percentile
  5. $139,110top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Entertainment and recreation managers, the BLS category that includes camp directors, had a median pay of $79,520 a year[1]. BLS projects 6% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6%[2]
Openings per year
5,100[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do camp directors and recreation managers make?

In May 2025, the median wage for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, was $79,520 a year, or $38.23 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $89,750 a year, or $43.15 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,270, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $61,060[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $104,770, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $139,110[4]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $22.25 and the 90th percentile was $66.88[9].

BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. In the employment projections, 8.4% of these managers were self-employed in 2025[12].

Measure Annual wage Source
Median[1] $79,520
Average[8] $89,750
10th percentile[4] $46,270
90th percentile[4] $139,110
All occupations, median[5] $50,980

Pay by state and city

Among 46 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia was listed first for median pay at $113,930, followed by Minnesota at $107,660 and New York at $98,390[13]. California had the most jobs with 7,000, then Illinois with 3,260 and Texas with 2,880[14].

Among metro areas, the one listed first was Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI at $123,780 (areas with at least 100 jobs)[15]. Next came Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $106,830 and Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO at $100,500[15]. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area had the most jobs at 2,530, with a median of $80,570[16]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ was next with 2,410 jobs[16].

Show median pay in 46 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$113,93030
Minnesota$107,660480
New York$98,3901,330
Colorado$97,000940
Washington$96,790630
Idaho$95,020110
Vermont$92,320270
New Jersey$89,5902,260
Massachusetts$89,4501,030
Wyoming$88,79070
Rhode Island$88,75040
Missouri$83,620370
Florida$83,5202,620
Georgia$83,470830
Maine$82,78070
Nevada$82,370410
Maryland$81,220940
Hawaii$81,16050
Kentucky$80,130300
New Hampshire$80,090170
California$79,5507,000
Utah$79,400370
South Carolina$79,110440
Texas$78,5002,880
Oklahoma$78,420100
Oregon$78,200930
Connecticut$78,010130
North Carolina$77,9901,200
Illinois$77,3103,260
Wisconsin$77,140170
Arizona$76,550880
South Dakota$76,000160
Virginia$74,800310
Alaska$70,700120
Tennessee$70,530540
Kansas$69,990100
Pennsylvania$68,9901,220
Iowa$68,320620
Mississippi$67,67090
Alabama$66,540190
Michigan$65,8901,670
Nebraska$63,270310
Indiana$62,760340
Louisiana$62,39090
Ohio$58,4401,280
Arkansas$49,640230
West Virginia$47,310100

How to become a camp director or recreation manager

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry, with less than 5 years of related work experience and no on-the-job training[7]. BLS also says requirements vary. Some workers enter with a high school diploma, and work experience matters[17].

In some states, certain kinds of these managers may need a license[23]. Some employers require safety certifications such as first aid or CPR, while professional certification is usually optional[24].

O*NET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation is needed[25].

What camp directors and recreation managers do

O*NET describes the work as planning, directing or coordinating entertainment and recreation activities at recreational facilities, including cruise ships and parks[26]. Job titles reported by workers include camp director, events manager, golf course manager, park manager and recreation director[27]. Typical tasks include:

Business, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills are among the important qualities BLS lists[29][30][31][32].

Where they work

These managers typically work in an office. They may also spend time outside it checking equipment or dealing with customers, and some work outdoors or travel to sites[33]. Local government, excluding education and hospitals, was the largest employer at 20% in 2025[34].

The work is usually full time. Schedules vary and can include nights, weekends and holidays, with extra hours in peak season[35]. Some managers must be on call for emergencies such as power outages during severe weather[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of entertainment and recreation managers to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 43,900 to 46,500 jobs[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects 3.5% growth[3].

About 5,100 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.9% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 6.7% to move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay above the all-occupations median that usually asks for a bachelor's degree and some related experience[7][19]. Median pay of $79,520 sits above the $50,980 all-occupations median[1][5]. BLS projects growth faster than the all-occupations rate[2][3]. Pay and jobs vary by place, so local figures matter[13][15]. The schedule can include nights, weekends and holidays[35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a camp director make a year?
Camp directors fall under entertainment and recreation managers, whose median wage was $79,520 a year in May 2025[1][27]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,270 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $139,110[4].
How much does a recreation manager make an hour?
The median wage was $38.23 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $22.25 and the 90th percentile was $66.88[9].
What degree do you need to be a recreation manager?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Some workers enter with a high school diploma[17].
Is recreation management in demand?
BLS projects 6% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 5,100 openings a year are projected[6].
Which state pays recreation managers the most?
The District of Columbia is listed first for median annual wage at $113,930, followed by Minnesota at $107,660[13]. California has the most jobs at 7,000[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling in the US was $79,520 per year and $38.23 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 43,900 to 46,500 jobs (a change of +2,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: 10th percentile $46,270, 25th percentile $61,060, 75th percentile $104,770, 90th percentile $139,110. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 5,100 openings for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling was $89,750 per year and $43.15 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: 10th percentile $22.25, 25th percentile $29.36, 75th percentile $50.37, 90th percentile $66.88. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 8.4% of Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling jobs: California 7,000; Illinois 3,260; Texas 2,880; Florida 2,620; New Jersey 2,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling (areas with at least 100 jobs): Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $123,780; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $106,830; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $100,500; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $98,390; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $96,110; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $94,390; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $94,290; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $94,220. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,530 (median $80,570); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,410 (median $94,390); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,200 (median $78,200); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 1,070 (median $83,020); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,020 (median $81,570); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 900 (median $96,110). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses and Certifications. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses and Certifications. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 11-9072.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 11-9072.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Aquatic Program Manager, Camp Director, Events Manager, Golf Course Manager, Ice Arena Director, Park Manager, Recreation Director, Recreation Manager. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of entertainment and recreation managers in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 20%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: 3.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.