Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Camp and Recreation Manager · Camp Director · Events and Competitions Director · Events Manager · Experiences Manager · Golf Course Manager · Park Manager · Recreation Director
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to persuading, organizing and helping work.
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Written Expression
- Speech Clarity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.6 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 52%
- A certificate or some college 23%
- A two-year degree 17%
- A master's degree 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Project management software
- Operating system software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Word processing software
- Sales and marketing software
- Document management software
- Analytical or scientific software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 9,700
- Job openings each year
- 1,080
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 15.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 9,700 | 1,080 | 15.5% |
| Florida | 3,500 | 390 | 18.2% |
| Texas | 1,730 | 200 | 21.8% |
| Michigan | 1,310 | 140 | 2.3% |
| New Jersey | 1,290 | 150 | 18.3% |
| Illinois | 1,220 | 130 | 7.0% |
| Colorado | 1,190 | 130 | 14.4% |
| Maryland | 950 | 110 | 14.5% |
| Ohio | 800 | 90 | 5.3% |
| Tennessee | 710 | 80 | 22.4% |
| Arizona | 600 | 70 | 11.1% |
| Iowa | 590 | 70 | 9.3% |
| South Carolina | 580 | 60 | 13.7% |
| Minnesota | 400 | 40 | 5.3% |
| Oregon | 370 | 40 | 23.3% |
| Georgia | 360 | 40 | 16.1% |
| Vermont | 330 | 40 | 17.9% |
| Missouri | 320 | 30 | 3.2% |
| Wisconsin | 280 | 30 | 21.7% |
| North Carolina | 260 | 30 | 13.0% |
| Utah | 250 | 30 | 25.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 240 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Maine | 230 | 20 | 4.5% |
| Indiana | 220 | 30 | 10.0% |
| Nebraska | 190 | 20 | 18.8% |
| Nevada | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Massachusetts | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| South Dakota | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Virginia | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Mississippi | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Montana | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| New Hampshire | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | 50 | 10 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 40 | 10 | 33.3% |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
| Delaware | 20 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 5,685
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 2,852
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 2,676
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,505
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
San Diego State University
- Degrees each year
- 2,415
- Admit rate
- 34%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 1,761
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
- Degrees each year
- 1,906
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
San Jose State University
- Degrees each year
- 1,954
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Compare every college offering parks, recreation, and leisure facilities management