Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Amusement and Recreation Attendants

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or operate amusement concessions and rides.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $32,150 Median per year · $15.46/hr Most earn $22,350–$42,490

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Provide information about facilities, entertainment options, and rules and regulations.
  • Clean sporting equipment, vehicles, rides, booths, facilities, or grounds.
  • Rent, sell, or issue sporting equipment and supplies, such as bowling shoes, golf balls, swimming suits, or beach chairs.
  • Direct patrons to rides, seats, or attractions.
  • Monitor activities to ensure adherence to rules and safety procedures, or arrange for the removal of unruly patrons.
  • Record details of attendance, sales, receipts, reservations, or repair activities.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Numerous Job Openings

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 100,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Amusement parks and arcades16.8%
  • Fitness and recreational sports centers13.3%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals10.8%
  • Spectator sports2.8%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools2.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. You usually need only a high school diploma and no prior work experience, so you can start soon after school.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish school and build basic skills like customer service, safety awareness, and clear communication, which are used every day at amusement and recreation facilities.

  2. Amusement and Recreation Attendant

    Starts right away (no prior experience usually needed)

    You help guests, set up and maintain equipment, run rides or concessions, and keep activities safe. This is the career itself and a common first job.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Attendant

    1-2 years of experience first

    You take on more responsibility, such as training new attendants, checking that equipment and safety rules are followed, and helping open or close the area.

  2. Recreation Supervisor

    2-4 years of experience first

    You manage staff schedules, plan activities, and handle guest concerns, which usually requires proven reliability, leadership experience, and good judgment.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take health or physical education classesThese teach basic safety, first aid, and how to keep people healthy and active, which matter at recreation sites.
  • Get a first aid or CPR certificationMany schools and community centers offer these courses, and employers often value them for safety-focused roles.
  • Find a starter job or volunteer positionWorking at a pool, camp, park, or concession stand teaches you customer service and equipment care.
  • Join a sports team or clubBeing part of a team builds teamwork and helps you learn how recreational activities are organized.
  • Practice customer service skillsHelping people at school events or community activities builds the friendly, patient attitude this job needs.

In college

  • Take courses in recreation, sports management, or hospitalityThese classes teach how recreation facilities are run, which can help you move into supervisor roles later.
  • Get a seasonal or part-time job at a recreation siteHands-on experience with guests, equipment, and safety rules is what employers look for most.
  • Earn lifeguard, first aid, or CPR certificationThese certifications show you can keep people safe, a core part of attendant work.
  • Join a campus recreation or event committeePlanning activities teaches scheduling, teamwork, and leadership that help you move up.
  • Build a simple record of your workKeep notes on the safety training, shifts, and responsibilities you've handled so you can show them in future applications.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for summer or seasonal jobs at parks, pools, camps, or arcades. Experience with guests and safety rules helps you get hired and move up later.
  • Get any safety or first aid training your town offers, such as CPR or lifeguard certification. Many recreation employers value it highly.
  • Show reliability by arriving on time and following rules. Supervisors often choose attendants they already trust.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

Related careers