Social Services
Recreation Workers
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
Median salary (BLS)
$36,560
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$28k – $50k
Job outlook
+4% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Recreation Workers
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Recreation Workers
Entry / Junior
$27,600
~2 yrs to advance
Recreation Workers
Established
$36,560
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Recreation Workers
Senior
$43,485
Key skills
A typical day
- •Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
- •Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
- •Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
- •Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
- •Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Social Services
Explore all- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
- Columbia University4% admit · $103,000 grad pay
- University of Wisconsin–Madison49% admit · $72,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.