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Job outlook for assistant recreation directors in the United States
Are assistant recreation director jobs in demand?
Assistant recreation director job and salary trends over time
Assistant recreation director jobs over time
Assistant recreation director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,310 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,082 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,497 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,432 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,417 | 0.00% |
Average assistant recreation director salary over time
Assistant recreation director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,941 | $23.05 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $44,418 | $21.35 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $42,243 | $20.31 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $41,367 | $19.89 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $40,238 | $19.34 | +2.4% |
Assistant recreation director jobs by state
Most common states for assistant recreation directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 174 | 20% |
| 2 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 725 | 14% |
| 3 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 261 | 14% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 453 | 12% |
| 5 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 533 | 11% |
| 6 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 510 | 11% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 51 | 7% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 36 | 5% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 207 | 3% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 644 | 2% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 349 | 2% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 199 | 2% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 176 | 2% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 133 | 2% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 97 | 2% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 71 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 54 | 2% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 47 | 2% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 24 | 2% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 12 | 2% |
Most common cities for assistant recreation directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $33,913 |
Assistant Recreation Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant recreation director experts
Southern Oregon University
University of New Hampshire
Central Michigan University
Dr. Chad Thatcher
Associate Professor of Outdoor Adventure LeadershipSouthern Oregon University
Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Studies
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Recreation Director?
Dr. Chad Thatcher: We develop EI competencies in the context of outdoor adventure expeditions both domestically and internationally. Of course we also work on the technical aspects of the degree as well, however, we find that teaching technical skills is way easier if someone possesses good intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
What Assistant Recreation Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Chad Thatcher: Our students are entering a workforce that not only requires technical skills but nontechnical skills as well. The biggest problem I see with many graduates is that they don’t know how to articulate the skills they do possess, particularly the nontechnical skills. They simply don’t have the vocabulary to explain their skills and often they don’t make the connections between the competencies and their experiences.
What will help Assistant Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Chad Thatcher: I just wrote an article on the importance of 'soft skills' in the outdoor industry and how outdoor professionals have been working on the soft skills for years. I don’t really like the terms 'soft skills' and 'hard skills' because they can have a hierarchical feel to them, as if soft skills are not as important.
What general advice would you give to an Assistant Recreation Director?
Matthew Frye M.S., CTRS/L: A strong professional network is key. Not only will it help you land your dream job, recreation professionals lean on each on each other for things like policies and procedures, new program development, and available grants. During the pandemic, those with stronger professional networks had a distinctly easier time responding to the needs of their communities during a very uncertain time. Maintaining that professional network involves joining and participating in your state and national membership organizations and going to conferences and events.
What Assistant Recreation Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Frye M.S., CTRS/L: The role of recreation is shifting toward public health and community wellness across the lifespan. Recreation professionals need to become better acquainted with the wants and needs of older adults, community members with disabilities, and other traditionally underrepresented groups.
What will help Assistant Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Matthew Frye M.S., CTRS/L: A degree in recreation management is certainly the fastest way to promotion and advancement in our field. But, even as a new professional, having a degree makes you valuable due to the breadth and depth of the skill set with which you leave school. Otherwise, be sure that you can clearly articulate the role you play in your communities pursuant to the public good (overall health, increased property values, youth development and retention, etc),
Robert Frost
ChairpersonCentral Michigan University
Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Recreation Director job market given the pandemic?
Robert Frost: The pandemic has pushed program delivery into new forms. We are seeing jobs being reinvented to accommodate greater on-line/virtual delivery formats and flexibility in delivery times and scheduling. We also are seeing a growth in less clinical and more community-day program formats.
What skills stand out on Assistant Recreation Director resumes?
Robert Frost: Corresponding to the new delivery formats are the accompanying skills; virtual programming, video production, social media abilities, and overall creativity and flexibility.