Entertainment and Recreation Managers
O*NET title: Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Also called: Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
Also called: Activities Manager, Amusement Park Manager, Aquatic Program Manager, Aquatics Director, Aquatics Manager, Boat Club Manager
Median pay
$79,520
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$46,270 – $139,110
People employed
37,980
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Entertainment and Recreation Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (46 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers salary in every state →
What entertainment and recreation managers do
- 01Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
- 02Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
- 03Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
- 04Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
- 05Explain rules and regulations of facilities and entertainment attractions to customers.
- 06Calculate and record department expenses and revenue.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Stress Tolerance
- Leadership Orientation
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from entertainment and recreation managers
- General and Operations Managers89% · +33%
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers81% · +10%
- Human Resources Managers80% · +88%
- Sales Managers80% · +86%
- Financial Managers79% · +109%
Change into entertainment and recreation managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Recreation Workers86% · $36,560
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers81% · $87,520
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners78% · $61,160
- Coaches and Scouts77% · $47,320
- Human Resources Specialists77% · $75,940
Majors that lead here
- Environmental/Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General
- Golf Course Operation and Grounds Management
- Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Hospitality Administration/Management, General
- Resort Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.