Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Also called: Activities Manager, Amusement Park Manager, Aquatic Program Manager, Aquatics Director, Aquatics Manager, Boat Club Manager, Camp Director, Club Director
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
What entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling do
Typical 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.
- Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.
- Train workers in company procedures or policy.
- Administer first aid in emergency situations.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary
The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling is $79,520 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $46,270 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $139,110. The mean annual wage is $89,750.
The mean hourly wage of $43.00 is 5.9× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $79,520 → in 3 years $87,200 → in 5 years $92,800 → in 10 years $108,300 (10-year range $93,100–$125,700). The model assumes pay growth of +3.1% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.