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Recreation Worker

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.

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.

  • 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.

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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.

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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?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Recreation Worker?

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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:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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