All About Recreation Workers
Job 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.
Recreation Worker Responsibilities
- Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services to determine if they are producing desired results.
- Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.
- Evaluate staff performance, recording evaluations on appropriate forms.
- Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
- Schedule maintenance and use of facilities.
- Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
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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
- Recreational Assistant
- Recreation Counselor
- Activities Coordinator
- Playground Worker
- Park Recreation Manager
Job Opportunities for Recreation Workers
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.
What is the Average Salary of a Recreation Worker
The typical yearly salary for Recreation Workers is somewhere between $18,470 and $42,670.

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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Recreation Workers may use on a daily basis:
- 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
Education needed to be a Recreation Worker:

What work experience do I need to become a Recreation Worker?

Where Recreation Workers Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Recreation Workers work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as a Recreation Worker sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
- Health Educators
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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