What You Need to Know About Recreation Worker
Recreation Worker Example 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.
Life As a Recreation Worker
- Conduct individual in-room visits with residents.
- Confer with management to discuss and resolve participant complaints.
- Develop treatment goals for individuals based on their assessments.
- Serve as liaison between park or recreation administrators and activity instructors.
- Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
- Oversee the purchase, planning, design, construction, and upkeep of recreation facilities and areas.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Recreation Worker Should Know
When polled, Recreation Workers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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:
- Activity Coordinator
- Activities Coordinator
- Playground Director
- Activity Assistant
- Recreation Counselor
Is There Going to be 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.
Salary for a Recreation Worker
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.
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 |
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
Becoming a Recreation Worker
What kind of Recreation Worker requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Recreation Workers Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Recreation Workers employed by various industries.

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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |