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Career

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.

Kinds of work

  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

Moderate 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 $79,520 Median per year · $38.23/hr Most earn $46,270–$139,110

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Store and retrieve equipment, such as vehicles, radios, and ride components.
  • Clean equipment and areas of amusement park, cruise ship, or other recreational facility.
  • Operate, drive, or explain the use of mechanical equipment in amusement parks, cruise ships, or other recreational facilities.
  • Train workers in company procedures or policy.
  • Assign tasks and work hours to staff.
  • Train workers in company procedures or policy.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 5,100 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

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals20.3%
  • Fitness and recreational sports centers14.9%
  • Self-employed (their own business)8.4%
  • Other schools and instruction4.1%
  • Civic and social organizations3.3%

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

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Career path

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

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

This isn't usually a job you start straight out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then spend roughly 2 to 4 years in recreation or event work before moving into management. Plan on about 6 to 8 years total from starting college.

  1. Bachelor's degree in recreation management, hospitality, or business

    4 years

    You learn how facilities, programs, and budgets work, and you can build a record of campus or community activities that employers notice.

  2. Recreation Worker

    1-2 years

    You plan and lead activities for participants at a park, community center, cruise line, or resort, which gives you hands-on experience running events.

  3. Activities Coordinator

    1-2 years

    You take on more responsibility by scheduling staff, managing budgets and vendors, and handling larger programs, which prepares you to supervise an operation.

  4. Entertainment and Recreation Manager

    Career goal

    You plan, direct, and coordinate the entertainment and recreation activities and daily operations of a facility such as a park, resort, or cruise ship.

Where it can lead

  1. Director of Recreation

    5-8 years in management of experience first

    You oversee several facilities or programs at once, set yearly goals and budgets, and hire and manage other managers.

  2. General and Operations Manager

    Several years in management of experience first

    You broaden your focus from one type of activity to the whole business, such as a resort or entertainment venue, and you're responsible for overall results.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and a business or economics class if offeredBudgeting and planning skills are used every day in managing recreation programs.
  • Join a club that plans events, like student council or a drama or activities clubPlanning and running events for others is the core work of this career.
  • Get a summer or part-time job at a pool, camp, or community recreation centerIt gives you real experience working with the public and running activities.
  • Volunteer with a youth sports league or community eventYou'll practice leading groups and solving problems on the spot.
  • Take a public speaking or communications classManagers spend a lot of time leading teams and talking with customers and staff.

In college

  • Major in recreation, hospitality, event management, or businessThese majors cover programming, facility operations, and management skills that this career depends on.
  • Work a campus recreation or event jobWorking at a campus rec center, student union, or event office builds the experience employers look for.
  • Get an internship at a park, resort, cruise line, or entertainment venueInternships show you how daily operations run and help you make professional contacts.
  • Join a student activities board or event committeePlanning campus events gives you a track record of organizing programs and managing budgets.
  • Consider a first-aid or CPR certificationMany recreation employers require or prefer it, and it's usually inexpensive and quick to earn through local providers.

Tips for getting started

  • Get paid or volunteer experience in the field early, such as working at a camp, pool, gym, or community center, since 2 to 4 years of related work is typical before this job.
  • Learn the basics of budgeting, scheduling, and event planning; these skills show up in most manager job ads.
  • Check typical pay near you and nationally on this career's page in the app, since it shows the full range and local figures.

Related jobs that often lead here

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.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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