Occupations · Personal Care and Service

Recreation Workers

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 39-9032.00

$35,380median annual wage, May 2024

309,640people employed, United States

▲ 4.1%projected change, 2024→2034

68,100openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 90% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$37,390	19,070
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$37,150	17,620
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	$34,100	12,260
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	$35,390	8,380
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$37,110	8,070
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	$44,070	6,330
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$34,050	5,380
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$34,390	5,240
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$31,300	4,630
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$36,990	4,540
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	$38,500	4,260
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$35,320	4,030

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: High school diploma or equivalent · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.
Serve as liaison between park or recreation administrators and activity instructors.
Direct special activities or events, such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts.
Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties.
Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services to determine if they are producing desired results.
Schedule maintenance and use of facilities.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Speaking4.0

Active Listening4.0

Monitoring3.8

Critical Thinking3.2

Reading Comprehension3.1

Learning Strategies3.1

Active Learning3.1

Writing3.1

Mathematics2.1

Science1.6

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●AppletreeCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDatabase softwareGroupMeMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft PublisherRecordkeeping softwareScheduling softwareYouTube

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.1 below average

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment−1.0 below average

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate−0.9 below average

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment−0.9 below average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures−0.8 below average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−0.8 below average

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People+0.7 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2017-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree62%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)25%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)8%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)3%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2017-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Social4.9

Enterprising4.5

Realistic3.8

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
Develop treatment goals for individuals based on their assessments.
Document individuals' progress toward meeting their treatment goals.

O*NET 21.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness4.0

Service Orientation4.0

Coordination4.0

Instructing3.8

Time Management3.2

Management of Personnel Resources3.1

Persuasion3.1

Complex Problem Solving3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentPsychology

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClarityProblem SensitivitySpeech RecognitionNear Vision

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Play LeaderField ScoutCamp AdvisorYouth WorkerGuest AdvisorField AdvisorActivity AideCamp DirectorFitness WorkerTeen CounselorCamp CounselorActivities AideRecreation AideActivity Leader

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 5

+Appletree+Corel WordPerfect Office Suite+GroupMe+YouTube+Microsoft PowerPoint

No longer listed 4

−Charting software−Desktop publishing software−Corel WordPerfect software−Word processing software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Field ScoutPlay LeaderCamp AdvisorGroup LeaderGroup WorkerYouth WorkerActivity AideField AdvisorCamp DirectorGuest AdvisorCamp CounselorTeen Counselor

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
outdoor animator	3423.1.2	exact
sports programme coordinator	2422.13	close
amusement and recreation attendant	9629.2	close
outdoor activities coordinator	3423.1.1	close
specialised outdoor animator	3423.1.2.3	broader
tourist animator	2659.4	broader
activity leader	3423.1	broader
assistant outdoor animator	3423.1.2.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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