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.
High school diploma or equivalent
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.
Recreation workers support organized activities and programs designed for groups of all ages. With national employment of 328,000 and projected growth of 4.1%, this field offers ongoing opportunities across the country. The role can appeal to people who enjoy combining creativity and innovation with strong interpersonal and customer service skills. It also suits those who like active, people-facing work that can require physical strength and stamina as well as speaking, listening, and leadership abilities. The career’s national median salary is $35,380, with higher median pay in some states and metro areas. Recreation workers can consider related career paths such as entertainment and recreation managers (except gambling), residential advisors, entertainers and performers (sports and related workers, all other), recreational therapists, and coaches and scouts. Overall, the occupation offers a blend of people interaction, project management, and adaptability, with a typical education level of a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to a wide range of job seekers and career changers.
Recreation workers earn a national median annual salary of $35,380, but pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the highlighted states, Washington shows a median salary of $44,890, while California reports $39,780, Colorado $38,820, Massachusetts $38,540, and New York $38,040. These figures suggest that location can make a meaningful difference in earnings. At the metro level, salary variation is even more pronounced. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro stands out with a median salary of $57,580. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports $46,290, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV reports $42,800. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ has a median of $38,440, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reports $38,770. For recreation workers, these differences indicate that relocating or targeting specific regions can significantly influence earning potential, even within the same occupation.
Recreation workers have a national employment level of 328,000, indicating a sizable workforce in this occupation. Projected employment growth of 4.1% suggests that opportunities are expected to expand over time. In addition, there are an estimated 68,000 annual openings, which can include new positions as well as openings created when workers change occupations or leave the labor force. The combination of existing employment, projected growth, and recurring openings points to a steady flow of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. Because the same 4.1% projected growth rate is reflected in the top states and metro areas listed, those locations appear aligned with the national trend. People considering this field can factor in both the overall employment base and the annual openings as they plan job searches, career moves, or advancement strategies within recreation-focused roles.
Geography plays a notable role in opportunities for recreation workers. Among states, California has the largest listed employment at 48,560, along with a median salary of $39,780 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York also has substantial employment at 24,790 with a median salary of $38,040 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts shows employment of 11,280 and a median salary of $38,540, with an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington have smaller employment totals (6,100 and 6,380 respectively) but still offer competitive median salaries, including $44,890 in Washington, and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA stands out with a high opportunity score of 77.42, a median salary of $57,580, and employment of 2,620. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro also has a strong opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 21,900. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH all offer solid combinations of salary, employment levels, and opportunity scores, giving recreation workers multiple regional options to consider.
The typical education requirement for recreation workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this career accessible to a broad range of students, recent graduates, and career changers. While formal postsecondary education is not listed as typical for entry, success in the field draws heavily on a diverse set of skills. Top skills for recreation workers include creativity and innovation, project management, interpersonal skills, leadership, and adaptability. Strong speaking and listening abilities, along with customer service skills, support daily interactions with participants and colleagues. Physical strength and stamina can be important for more active aspects of the work. Critical and analytical thinking, as well as writing and reading skills, contribute to planning, documentation, and communication. Together, these abilities provide a skill profile that combines people-focused strengths with organizational and practical capabilities, offering multiple ways for individuals to build and demonstrate readiness for roles in recreation.
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