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Life As a Recreation Worker
Job Description & Duties 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.
Daily Life Of a Recreation Worker
- Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
- Take residents on community outings.
- Document individuals’ progress toward meeting their treatment goals.
- Provide for entertainment and set up related decorations and equipment.
- Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
- Greet new arrivals to activities, introducing them to other participants, explaining facility rules, and encouraging participation.
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What Every Recreation Worker Should Know
These are the skills Recreation Workers say are the most useful in their careers:
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Recreational Facilities Motel Manager
- Summer Counselor
- Social Director
- Program Director
- Activity Coordinator
What Kind of Recreation Worker Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 390,000 jobs for Recreation Worker in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 70,700 positions for Recreation Worker per year.
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.
Do Recreation Workers Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Recreation Workers ranges between about $18,470 and $42,670 a year.
Recreation Workers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or South Dakota, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Recreation Workers 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 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
How do I Become a Recreation Worker?
What education is needed to be a Recreation Worker?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Recreation Worker?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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.