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.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
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
How to Become a Recreation Worker Recreation workers maintain order and safety. Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, although requirements may vary by type of job. Once hired, these workers typically need a short period of on-the-job
Education
and Training Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Requirements vary based on the type of position. For some jobs, such as organizing after-school programs at a community center, candidates may qualify with a high school diploma and receive training of a month or less after they are hired. For other positions, such as coordinating activities at a residential care facility, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in recreation and fitness or a related field.
Training
.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some employers require recreation workers to have certifications such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or first aid. Employers also may require recreation workers to have a valid driver’s license and to pass a background check. Optional certification for recreation workers is offered by professional organizations. Eligibility varies based on education and work experience. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of recreation workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 67,000 openings for recreation workers 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. Employment An increased emphasis on the importance of lifelong well-being is expected to create demand for recreation workers in a variety of settings, including fitness and recreational sports centers, country clubs, and other organizations. Parks and recreation departments may contract out the services of activity specialists. In addition, there is projected to be more demand for recreation workers to work with older clients, especially in continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities. Recreation Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Recreation workers 4% Total, all occupations 3% Other personal care and service workers 2% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Recreation Workers Do
Recreation workers organize, conduct, and promote a variety of group activities for leisure and other purposes. Activities may include arts and crafts, sports, or music.
Duties
Recreation workers typically do the following:
- Organize, conduct, and promote recreational activities
- Explain the rules of activities and instruct participants at a variety of skill levels
- Modify activities to suit the needs of specific participants, such as seniors
- Explain safety procedures to reduce and prevent injuries
- Administer basic first aid as needed
- Perform administrative tasks, such as helping participants complete paperwork
Duties of recreation workers vary by job title, level of training, and other factors. For example, camp counselors work directly with youths in overnight or day camps and guide participants in activities and interactions with others.
Recreation workers may specialize in a particular activity, such as swimming, drama, or arts and crafts. They also may organize and promote a number of recreation programs for one or more facilities. Some recreation workers assist others at every phase, such as by setting up equipment, helping participants during activities, and cleaning and maintaining the equipment or facility.
In addition, recreation workers sometimes have office duties. For example, they may assist participants in completing forms or create calendars and newsletters to promote certain activities or programs.
Workers in similar occupations may focus on recreation with a different purpose. For example, entertainment and recreation managers plan and direct activities and operations related to fitness and leisure. Recreational therapists use medical-based activities to treat people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Self-enrichment teachers instruct participants in activities for personal improvement or recreation.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Recreation workers held about 346,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of recreation workers were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 32% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 19 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 10 |
| Other amusement and recreation industries | 10 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 9 |
Recreation workers may spend much of their time outdoors leading activities such as hiking or soccer. Others coordinate indoor activities, such as drama or karate. Workers who plan programs and events may spend much of their time in an office.
Injuries and Illnesses
Recreation workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may occur due to incidents such as slips, falls, and overexertion. Workers reduce the risk of injury by following safety procedures and practices, such as using proper exercise form and keeping recreation areas free of obstacles.
Work Schedules
Most recreation workers are full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours. For example, camp counselors may work primarily in the evening or on weekends, or they may be employed only during the summer.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Recreation workers must be able to give clear instructions, often to large groups. Flexibility. Recreation workers must be able to adapt plans and activities to suit changing conditions and participants’ needs. Interpersonal skills. Recreation workers must be compatible with different types of people, sometimes within a single group. Leadership skills. Recreation workers should be able to coordinate both large and small groups, as well as groups of varying ages and abilities. Motivational skills. Recreation workers should be able to inspire participants so that they enjoy activities.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about recreation workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
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.