Life As a Recreation Worker
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.
List of Recreation Worker Job Duties
- Serve as liaison between park or recreation administrators and activity instructors.
- Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas.
- Take residents on community outings.
- Greet new arrivals to activities, introducing them to other participants, explaining facility rules, and encouraging participation.
- Encourage participants to develop their own activities and leadership skills through group discussions.
- Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Recreation Worker?
Below is a list of the skills most Recreation Workers say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Recreation Worker Jobs
- Activity Specialist
- Summer Camp Counselor
- Playground Worker
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- Field Scout
Recreation Worker Employment Estimates
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 70,700 job openings in this field each 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.
Recreation Worker 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 each U.S. state?
| 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Recreation Workers
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 to Become a Recreation Worker
Individuals working as a Recreation Worker have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Recreation Workers Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field 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.
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