Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, oversee activities and programs that provide leisure, cultural, and recreational experiences. Nationally, about 43,000 people work in this field, with a median annual salary of $77,180. The role combines planning, coordination, and leadership with a strong focus on working with people. It draws on creativity and innovation to design engaging experiences, as well as project management skills to organize resources and timelines. Interpersonal and customer service skills are also central, since these managers interact with participants, staff, and partners. The occupation is projected to grow by 7.7%, and there are an estimated 6,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing demand. For those interested in related paths, nearby options include recreation workers, residential advisors, entertainers and performers (sports and related workers, all other), recreational therapists, and coaches and scouts. Overall, this career can appeal to individuals who enjoy combining people-focused work with leadership and organizational responsibilities.
The national median annual salary for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, is $77,180. Earnings vary across locations, with several states and metro areas offering higher median pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York reports a median salary of $98,390, Colorado $97,000, Washington $96,790, Massachusetts $89,450, and California $79,550. Top metro areas also show strong earning levels: New York–Newark–Jersey City has a median of $94,390, Boston–Cambridge–Newton $94,290, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria $94,220, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara $90,060, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont $83,020. These figures indicate that local markets can significantly influence pay. Individuals considering this career can weigh national salary levels against higher-paying states and metros when planning where to work or relocate, keeping in mind that compensation often reflects regional job markets and employer needs.
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, have national employment of about 43,000. Projected employment growth is 7.7%, supported by an estimated 6,000 annual openings. This combination of current employment size, measurable growth, and ongoing openings suggests continuing opportunities for new entrants as well as for experienced professionals seeking advancement or change. The 7.7% projected growth rate appears consistently across the top states and metro areas listed, indicating a broadly similar growth expectation in many key locations. Annual openings reflect both new positions and turnover, which can create pathways for career changers and those moving between related roles such as recreation workers, residential advisors, entertainers and performers (sports and related workers, all other), recreational therapists, and coaches and scouts. Overall, the data point to a labor market that is expected to expand while also regularly cycling positions, offering a range of access points into the occupation over time.
Location can make a noticeable difference for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling. Among states ranked by opportunity score, California leads in employment with 7,000 positions and a median salary of $79,550, paired with a 7.7% growth rate and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington show higher median salaries—ranging from $89,450 in Massachusetts up to $98,390 in New York—with opportunity scores from 56.29 to 65.87. These states generally combine solid employment counts with relatively strong compensation. At the metro level, opportunity scores are even higher in some areas. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara and New York–Newark–Jersey City both have opportunity scores above 77, with median salaries around or above $90,000. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont also pair elevated salaries with notable employment levels. This shows that certain metros may offer especially attractive combinations of pay and opportunity within the broader state context.
The typical education for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling, is a bachelor’s degree. This educational foundation supports the broad mix of skills associated with the role. Creativity and innovation help in designing and improving entertainment and recreation offerings, while project management skills are important for planning and executing programs. Leadership and interpersonal abilities support supervising staff and working with participants and partners. Speaking and listening skills, along with writing and reading, contribute to clear communication in day-to-day operations. Customer service skills help managers respond effectively to the needs and expectations of the people they serve. Physical strength and stamina can also be valuable in environments that require sustained activity. Critical and analytical thinking supports decision-making and problem-solving. Together, this blend of education and skills prepares individuals to handle both the strategic and practical sides of managing entertainment and recreation activities.
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