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Recreation workers: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$36,560median pay per year, or $17.58 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $27,600lowest 10% earn less
  2. $31,78025th percentile
  3. $36,560median
  4. $43,47075th percentile
  5. $50,410top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Recreation workers had a median pay of $36,560 a year in May 2025, below the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. The usual entry point is a high school diploma[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.3%[5]
Openings per year
67,000[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do recreation workers make?

These figures are for the whole Recreation Workers category. People searching for an activities director job will find that title among the sample titles O*NET lists for it[7]. The median wage was $36,560 a year, or $17.58 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $38,520 a year, or $18.52 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $27,600 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $50,410[4].

Measure Annual Hourly
Lowest-paid 10% earned less than[4][9] $27,600 $13.27
25th percentile[4][9] $31,780 $15.28
Median[1] $36,560 $17.58
75th percentile[4][9] $43,470 $20.90
Highest-paid 10% earned more than[4][9] $50,410 $24.24

Each percentile marks a boundary between lower-paid and higher-paid workers, and the survey gives no starting salary[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and the District of Columbia with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $46,460[12]. Washington followed at $44,890 and South Dakota at $42,270[12]. Arkansas had the lowest published median at $27,770[12].

California had the most jobs at 48,560, then New York with 24,790, Texas with 18,660, Florida with 18,010 and Illinois with 17,650[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $57,580[14]. College Station-Bryan, TX came next at $47,870, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $46,290[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 21,900, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had 17,850[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$46,460470
Washington$44,8906,380
South Dakota$42,270650
Hawaii$41,0001,590
California$39,78048,560
Oregon$39,6104,640
Colorado$38,8206,100
Massachusetts$38,54011,280
New York$38,04024,790
Alaska$37,510630
Minnesota$37,5107,940
Maine$37,4501,260
Vermont$37,450840
North Dakota$37,310730
Maryland$37,2004,350
New Hampshire$37,0402,030
New Jersey$36,8807,550
Connecticut$36,6105,000
Rhode Island$36,340770
Virginia$36,1209,260
Arizona$35,80012,650
Pennsylvania$35,7109,850
Wisconsin$35,5306,840
Florida$35,49018,010
Illinois$35,48017,650
Michigan$35,09010,850
Montana$35,090800
Nebraska$34,5901,510
Missouri$34,3205,380
Delaware$33,7901,230
Iowa$33,7002,870
Tennessee$33,5803,420
Utah$32,8905,760
North Carolina$32,7209,520
Texas$32,72018,660
Georgia$32,5408,160
Ohio$32,42012,340
Kentucky$32,4003,290
New Mexico$31,900870
Kansas$31,7602,990
Oklahoma$31,5802,380
South Carolina$31,4205,270
Wyoming$30,720790
Indiana$30,1908,050
Nevada$30,1502,570
Idaho$30,1002,080
West Virginia$29,7101,410
Louisiana$28,5802,830
Alabama$28,3604,700
Mississippi$28,0602,220
Arkansas$27,7701,740

How to become a recreation worker

Requirements depend on the type of position[18]. In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 62% said a bachelor's degree was required, 25% said a high school diploma or equivalent and 8% said an associate's or other 2-year degree[20]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

Some employers require certifications such as CPR or first aid. Some also require a valid driver's license and a background check[21]. Professional organizations offer optional certification, and eligibility varies by education and experience[22].

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists clear communication, flexibility, getting along with different people, leadership and the ability to motivate participants as important qualities[23][24][25][26][27].

What recreation workers do

O*NET describes the job as leading recreation activities for groups at public, private or volunteer agencies and recreation facilities. Workers plan and publicize activities such as arts and crafts, sports, music and camping, shaped by what members need and enjoy[28]. Typical tasks include:

Workers in O*NET report job titles such as Activities Director, Activity Coordinator and Recreation Assistant[7].

Where they work

Some recreation workers lead activities such as hiking or soccer outdoors, where they may spend much of their day. Others run indoor activities such as drama or karate, and those who plan programs and events may be at a desk much of the time[30]. The largest employer group in 2025 was local government, excluding education and hospitals, at 32%[31]. Only 0.2% were self-employed[32].

Most are full time, but many have part-time, irregular or seasonal hours. Camp counselors, for example, may work evenings and weekends or only in summer[33]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook also notes that recreation workers are among the occupations with the highest injury and illness rates, and following safety practices lowers the risk[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of recreation workers to rise 4.3% between 2025 and 2035, from about 346,900 jobs up to 361,900, a gain of 15,000[5]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[35]. These counts include the self-employed, so they are larger than the 331,490 wage and salary jobs in the wage survey[36][5].

About 67,000 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 7% of workers leave the labor force and 11.5% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The typical path asks for a high school diploma, no related experience and short training[3][17]. Some roles lean toward a bachelor's degree, and 62% of 27 surveyed workers said one was required[19][20]. Median pay is below the all-occupations median, while the middle half earned between $31,780 and $43,470[1][2][4]. Projected growth is a little above the rate for all occupations[5][35]. Schedules can be irregular or seasonal, and injury rates are high compared with other occupations[34][33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a recreation worker make an hour?
BLS reports recreation workers, a category that includes titles such as activities director. The median was $17.58 an hour and the average was $18.52 in May 2025[1][8][7].
What education do you need to be a recreation worker?
The typical education for recreation workers is a high school diploma or equivalent[3]. Some positions, such as activity coordination at residential care facilities, may prefer a bachelor's degree[19].
How long is the training for recreation workers?
BLS lists short-term on-the-job training[3]. For some jobs it lasts a month or less[18].
What is the highest paying state for recreation workers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $46,460, then Washington at $44,890 and South Dakota at $42,270[12].
Is recreation work in demand?
BLS projects 4.3% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][35]. About 67,000 openings a year are projected[6].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Recreation Workers in the US was $36,560 per year and $17.58 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Recreation Workers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Recreation Workers: 10th percentile $27,600, 25th percentile $31,780, 75th percentile $43,470, 90th percentile $50,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Recreation Workers is projected to grow 4.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 346,900 to 361,900 jobs (a change of +15,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 67,000 openings for Recreation Workers 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. O*NET 39-9032.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Activities Assistant, Activities Director, Activity Aide, Activity Assistant, Activity Coordinator, Activity Director, Recreation Assistant, Recreation Coordinator. O*NET OnLine
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Recreation Workers was $38,520 per year and $18.52 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Recreation Workers: 10th percentile $13.27, 25th percentile $15.28, 75th percentile $20.90, 90th percentile $24.24. 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. Median annual wage for Recreation Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Recreation Workers jobs: California 48,560; New York 24,790; Texas 18,660; Florida 18,010; Illinois 17,650. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Recreation Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $57,580; College Station-Bryan, TX $47,870; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $46,290; Bend, OR $46,230; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $45,990; Bellingham, WA $44,640; Kennewick-Richland, WA $43,460; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $43,380. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Recreation Workers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 21,900 (median $38,440); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 17,850 (median $38,790); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 13,670 (median $35,830); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 9,200 (median $36,190); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 8,720 (median $38,770); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 6,510 (median $46,290). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. O*NET 39-9032.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 62%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 25%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Recreation Workers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Recreation Workers. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of recreation workers in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Recreation Workers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 331,490 people were employed as Recreation Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Recreation Workers: 7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 11.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. 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.