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.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
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.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Amusement and recreation attendants support customers in a wide range of leisure and recreation settings. National employment is sizable at 392,000 workers, indicating that this role is common across the country. The typical education requirement is no formal educational credential, making it accessible to people entering the workforce for the first time or changing careers without additional schooling. A national median annual salary of $30,490 reflects entry-level earnings, with opportunities for higher pay in certain states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 3.4% and 102,000 annual openings suggest a steady flow of job opportunities, including both new positions and replacements. The role draws on customer service, interpersonal abilities, physical stamina, and communication skills, and can also use mechanical, technology, creativity, math, and leadership strengths. Overall, it offers a widely available, skills-focused path for those interested in serving customers in recreational environments.
The national median annual salary for amusement and recreation attendants is $30,490, reflecting typical earnings for this occupation across all locations. Pay varies by state and metro area, with several locations showing higher median salaries. Among the top states, Washington reports a median salary of $37,790 and California $37,000, while New York stands at $36,300, Colorado at $35,770, and Massachusetts at $34,440. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, shows the highest listed median salary at $42,850, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, at $40,140 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, at $38,000. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, metro has a median salary of $35,910, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, stands at $34,660. These figures indicate that location choice can significantly influence earning potential within this career.
Amusement and recreation attendants have a national employment level of 392,000, indicating a large workforce in this occupation. Projected employment growth is 3.4%, pointing to an expectation of continued demand over the projection period. With 102,000 annual openings, there should be frequent opportunities for job seekers, whether entering the field for the first time or seeking a new position. The combination of an established employment base and projected growth suggests that this occupation is likely to remain relevant in the labor market. Because the typical education requirement is no formal educational credential, these openings may be accessible to a broad range of candidates, including those with limited prior work experience. People considering amusement and recreation attendant roles can factor in both the scale of current employment and the volume of projected openings when evaluating long-term opportunity.
Location can make a meaningful difference in opportunity and pay for amusement and recreation attendants. Among the top states by opportunity score, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $37,000, and employment of 56,920. Massachusetts and New York also show relatively strong opportunity scores, 65.87 and 65.78 respectively, with median salaries of $34,440 and $36,300. Colorado and Washington round out the top states, with Washington offering the highest listed state median salary at $37,790. All of these states share the same projected growth rate of 3.4% for this occupation. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and the highest listed median salary at $42,850. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 18,420. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH.
The typical education requirement for amusement and recreation attendants is no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who have not completed formal postsecondary education and may be entering the workforce directly. Since the role does not specify advanced education, building the right skills becomes especially important. Key skills for success include customer service and interpersonal abilities, which support positive interactions with guests and coworkers. Physical strength and stamina are also important, along with speaking and listening skills for clear communication. Some positions may use mechanical and fine motor skills, as well as comfort with computers and information technology. Creativity and innovation, mathematics, and leadership can also contribute to effectiveness and advancement within the field. Together, these skills provide multiple ways for workers to stand out and grow, even without formal educational credentials.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
