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
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 training. PayThe median annual wage for recreation workers was $36,560 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreation workers was $36,560 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Recreation workers organize, conduct, and promote a variety of group activities for leisure and other purposes.
Work Environment
Recreation workers are employed in a variety of settings, including recreation centers, parks, and summer camps. Most work full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours.
How to Become a Recreation Worker
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 training.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreation workers was $36,560 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Recreation workers are employed in a variety of settings, including recreation centers, parks, and summer camps. Most work full time, but many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours.
How to Become a Recreation Worker
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 training.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreation workers was $36,560 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreation workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreation workers with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
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
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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.