Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important. PayThe median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers was $79,520 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers was $79,520 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 5,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Entertainment and recreation managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities and operations related to fitness and leisure.
Work Environment
Entertainment and recreation managers typically work in various office settings, such as in recreational facilities or on cruise ships. However, many also spend time at event sites or outdoors, such as in parks. Most work full time. Work schedules may vary and can include nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become an Entertainment or Recreation Manager
Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important.
Pay
The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers was $79,520 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Entertainment and recreation managers typically work in various office settings, such as in recreational facilities or on cruise ships. However, many also spend time at event sites or outdoors, such as in parks. Most work full time. Work schedules may vary and can include nights, weekends, and holidays.
How to Become an Entertainment or Recreation Manager
Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor’s degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important.
Pay
The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers was $79,520 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for entertainment and recreation managers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of entertainment and recreation managers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about entertainment and recreation managers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.