Other Management Occupations

How to become an Entertainment and Recreation Manager

Official title: Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

Also called: Aquatic Program Manager, Camp Director, Events Manager, Golf Course Manager, Ice Arena Director, Park Manager, Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Recreation Superintendent, Social Activities Director

Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.

Main tasks

Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
Explain rules and regulations of facilities and entertainment attractions to customers.
Calculate and record department expenses and revenue.
Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
Assign tasks and work hours to staff.

How to become one

Requirements vary for becoming an entertainment or recreation manager. Some workers typically need a bachelor's degree, while others enter the occupation with a high school diploma. Work experience is also important.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Licence: A licence is required in 5 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $79,520 a year The middle half earn $61,060 to $104,770.
About 43,900 people work in this job now, and about 46,500 are projected by 2035. (+6%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Entertainment and Recreation Manager?

How much does an Entertainment and Recreation Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $79,520 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $61,060 to $104,770.

Is an Entertainment and Recreation Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 43,900 to about 46,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Entertainment and Recreation Manager?

Not always. 43% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

Will AI change the work of an Entertainment and Recreation Manager?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.