Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
Also called: Camp and Recreation Manager · Camp Director · Events and Competitions Director · Events Manager · Experiences Manager · Golf Course Manager
Median pay (national)
$77,180
$45,320–$134,680 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
36,700
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+7.7%
~5,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $134,680 versus $45,320 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $77,180 leaves roughly 75% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +7.7% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 49 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $114,440, +48% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $39,710 — a 188% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
- Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
- Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
- Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
- Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
- Calculate and record department expenses and revenue.
- Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
- Explain rules and regulations of facilities and entertainment attractions to customers.
- Assign tasks and work hours to staff.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Apple macOS
- Atlassian Confluence
- Cisco Webex
- HubSpot software
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Linux
- Marketo Marketing Automation
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
- Microsoft Windows
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administrative