Find Trade Colleges
All About Recreation Workers
Occupation Description 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.
List of Recreation Worker Job Duties
- Schedule maintenance and use of facilities.
- Document individuals’ progress toward meeting their treatment goals.
- Meet with staff to discuss rules, regulations, and work-related problems.
- Confer with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints.
- Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties.
- Develop treatment goals for individuals based on their assessments.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Recreation Worker?
When polled, Recreation Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Summer Counselor
- Recreation Center Director
- Therapeutic Activities Services Worker
- Life Enrichment Manager
- Playground Director
Is There Job Demand for Recreation Workers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 390,000 jobs in the United States for Recreation Worker. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 33,900 new jobs for Recreation Worker by 2026. The BLS estimates 70,700 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Recreation Worker are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Mexico, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Recreation Workers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Recreation Worker ranges between $18,470 and $42,670.
Recreation Workers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or South Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Recreation Workers make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $23,590 |
| Alaska | $40,410 |
| Arizona | $27,420 |
| Arkansas | $24,040 |
| California | $31,180 |
| Colorado | $31,110 |
| Connecticut | $30,930 |
| Delaware | $28,430 |
| District of Columbia | $50,160 |
| Florida | $27,530 |
| Georgia | $27,060 |
| Hawaii | $31,280 |
| Idaho | $30,300 |
| Illinois | $25,810 |
| Indiana | $24,600 |
| Iowa | $26,920 |
| Kansas | $26,790 |
| Kentucky | $30,000 |
| Louisiana | $23,390 |
| Maine | $29,790 |
| Maryland | $26,690 |
| Massachusetts | $30,820 |
| Michigan | $26,290 |
| Minnesota | $29,390 |
| Mississippi | $26,170 |
| Missouri | $26,490 |
| Montana | $29,300 |
| Nebraska | $27,320 |
| Nevada | $24,540 |
| New Hampshire | $31,560 |
| New Jersey | $29,530 |
| New Mexico | $23,190 |
| New York | $33,150 |
| North Carolina | $28,610 |
| North Dakota | $31,470 |
| Ohio | $25,850 |
| Oklahoma | $25,790 |
| Oregon | $31,090 |
| Pennsylvania | $26,770 |
| Rhode Island | $28,820 |
| South Carolina | $26,340 |
| South Dakota | $33,810 |
| Tennessee | $25,060 |
| Texas | $25,150 |
| Utah | $26,590 |
| Vermont | $30,300 |
| Virginia | $27,300 |
| Washington | $33,570 |
| West Virginia | $22,990 |
| Wisconsin | $25,210 |
| Wyoming | $29,420 |
What Tools & Technology do Recreation Workers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Recreation Workers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- YouTube
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Desktop publishing software
- Recordkeeping software
- Charting software
Becoming a Recreation Worker
What kind of Recreation Worker requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Recreation Workers Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Recreation Workers work:
Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Recreation Worker in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
- Health Educators
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.