Compliance Officers
Median wage · national
$80,730
Range: $61K – $109K
Employed
417K
Openings/yr
33K
Typically: bachelor's degree
BUSINESS
Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Entertainment and Recreation Managers earn $79,520 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $61,060 and $104,770. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
- Median Wage
- $79,520
- Employed Nationally
- 38K
- Openings / Year
- 5,500
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Amusement Park Manager
Aquatics Director
Boat Club Manager
Camp and Recreation Manager
Camp Director
How Much Do Entertainment and Recreation Managers Make?
Entertainment and Recreation Managers earn $79,520 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,060 and $104,770. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$79,520
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$61K–$105K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$61,060
Entry-level
$79,520
Median
$104,770
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $89,750, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Entertainment and Recreation Managers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Entertainment and Recreation Managers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Speaking
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Where Do Entertainment and Recreation Managers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Entertainment and Recreation Managers?
The BLS projects +7.7% employment change for Entertainment and Recreation Managers through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 5,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +7.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
5,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
38K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Entertainment and Recreation Managers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $79,520 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,510 | $78,750 | -1.0% |
| 2 | Illinois | 3,320 | $65,400 | -17.8% |
| 3 | Texas | 2,670 | $78,000 | -1.9% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 2,230 | $85,440 | +7.4% |
| 5 | Michigan | 1,550 | $60,230 | -24.3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Entertainment and Recreation Managers positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Administration | 395,227 | $68,257 | 2,611 |
| 2 | Kinesiology | 65,385 | $54,562 | 1,406 |
| 3 | Business | 57,204 | $68,407 | 933 |
| 4 | Hospitality Management | 14,076 | $56,726 | 658 |
| 5 | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,147 | $56,185 | 185 |
| 6 | Parks | 2,492 | $50,468 | 168 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Entertainment and Recreation Managers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Entertainment and Recreation Managers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Entertainment and Recreation Managers a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $79,520 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +7.7% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $104,770 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $79,520 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $61,060 is considerably below the $79,520 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Entertainment and Recreation Managers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Entertainment and Recreation Managers is $79,520, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,060 and $104,770. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Entertainment and Recreation Managers a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $79,520 median, with +7.7% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a Entertainment and Recreation Managers?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Business Administration are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $79,520 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Entertainment and Recreation Managers?
The BLS projects +7.7% employment change for Entertainment and Recreation Managers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 5,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 38K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Entertainment and Recreation Managers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Entertainment and Recreation Managers roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.