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Job outlook for parks recreation directors in the United States
Are parks recreation director jobs in demand?
Parks recreation director job and salary trends over time
Parks recreation director jobs over time
Parks recreation director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,134 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,398 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,541 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,518 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,513 | 0.00% |
Average parks recreation director salary over time
Parks recreation director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,942 | $23.53 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $45,345 | $21.80 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $43,125 | $20.73 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $42,230 | $20.30 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $41,077 | $19.75 | +2.4% |
Parks recreation director jobs by state
Most common states for parks recreation directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 189 | 22% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 520 | 17% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 488 | 16% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 472 | 12% |
| 5 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 492 | 11% |
| 6 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 502 | 10% |
| 7 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 311 | 10% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 49 | 7% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 32 | 4% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 197 | 3% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 173 | 3% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 88 | 3% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 650 | 2% |
| 14 | New York | 19,849,399 | 383 | 2% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 183 | 2% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 158 | 2% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 105 | 2% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 56 | 2% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 54 | 2% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 13 | 2% |
Most common cities for parks recreation directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $41,588 |
Parks Recreation Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of parks recreation director experts
Southern Oregon University
University of New Hampshire
California State University - Sacramento
Virginia Wesleyan University
Trine University
Dr. Chad Thatcher
Associate Professor of Outdoor Adventure LeadershipSouthern Oregon University
Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Studies
What general advice would you give to a Parks 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 Parks 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 Parks 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 a Parks 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 Parks 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 Parks 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),
Dr. KC Bloom Ph.D.
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Parks Recreation Director?
Dr. KC Bloom Ph.D.: People in the field generally love being recreation managers as it allows them to have a positive impact on society and the environment. The job is fulfilling and satisfying.
What Parks Recreation Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. KC Bloom Ph.D.: Entering the field now is ideal due to the increased appreciation for nature and group activities post-Covid. Visits to parks have surged, governments are reinvesting in park facilities and higher paying jobs, and the job outlook is positive.
What will help Parks Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. KC Bloom Ph.D.: Recreation managers work in a variety of settings and their tasks vary day to day. They may work on nature conservation projects, run programs for different groups, and focus on community and environmental health. Those entering the field often start in assistant or coordinator roles, spending time both planning and engaging with the public.
Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS
Chair, ProfessorCalifornia State University - Sacramento
Leisure And Recreational Activities
What general advice would you give to a Parks Recreation Director?
Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS: Recreation Management is an excellent profession to enter today as the focus on health and wellness as well as experiences come to the forefront of our societies desire to increase their quality of life. People are starting to be proactive and selective with the way they use their discretionary time and money which has allowed individuals who are Recreation Managers to tailor experiences to inclusively meet the needs of their given communities. If you plan to work in municipal parks and recreation, agencies are increasing programming and building facilities to create experiences for their residents. Many of the baby boomer generation are retiring providing an opportunity for upward mobility within a short timeframe for incoming Recreation Managers. The opportunities for jobs within government agencies is also an appealing benefit to working as a Recreation Manager. With the increased cost of living across the globe as well as healthcare costs rising, have an employer that provides a pension upon retirement and health benefits is appealing and to some a necessary thing for personal financial stability and health care management as one ages. While young professionals may not be focused on their future retirement which may be 20-30 years away, it is essential that one starts looking at their future and planning accordingly.
What Parks Recreation Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS: Recreation Managers typically walk the walk and talk the talk. With that said, they are advocates for health, wellness and experiences. This includes protecting and preserving natural environments, providing accessible and inclusive experiences and serving individuals of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. Depending on the agency one works for, this may prevent or promote the ability of the Recreation Manager to navigate bureaucracy and or other challenges related to funding, deficits in assets, equipment or spaces. Whether the Recreation Manager is working in a government agency, non-profit organization or for profit business, each environment poses its own challenges. Having consistent professional training and development opportunities as well as cost effective avenues for education, some barriers exist to continue to grow and develop in ones career. When discussion a Recreation Managers likes of their job the list is lengthy. Having the opportunity to work in many diverse environments: hostels, arenas, parks & recreation organizations, non-profits, athletic gyms and clubs, sports facilities …etc., this creates endless spaces and places for one to work. In addition to environments, the populations one may have the opportunity to work with are also very diverse. Recreation Managers work with individuals from the crib to the crypt including tot program, youth sports, teen centers, co-ed adult sports, senior centers etc. As far as abilities, one can work with individuals with neurodiversity, physical disabilities, addiction..etc. In addition, the Recreation Manager has the potential to work with and impact individuals from diverse cultures. This broad scope of practice is an attractive aspect of working as a Recreation Manager. Having the opportunity to increase the quality of life of individuals is a tremendous component of job satisfaction. Recreation Managers strive to maintain life balance and develop healthy lifestyle choices. Having the opportunity to have your work be fun and enjoyable is a choice but also an honor.
What will help Parks Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS: Day-to-day management in the field of recreation varies based on the facility, season, and program. If we are talking about someone working in an arena, one day may be the set-up for a Taylor Swift concert and that night a strike of the production starting at midnight including a clean sweep and turnover of the facility to have an ice arena for Disney on Ice for a three day show. Clearly the tasks associated with managing a facility that has such a high volume of attendees as well as drastic variety of events and shows is demanding on both the facility and maintenance staff as well as the manager. In contrast another example of a Recreation Manager’s day-to-day workload may include a director of a state park. This individual is managing nature spaces, ensure safety of visitors, providing programming including interpretive walks and talks at various sites throughout the park as well as maintaining oversight of capital improvement projects such as the redevelopment of a space or construction of a building. While many of the job responsibilities of a Recreation Manager include oversight of staff, facilities and programs or events, the day-to-day operations and tasks associated with doing the job are so drastically different based on the spaces and experiences provided. This is one of the reasons becoming a Recreation Manager is such a fulfilling career because there is such a drastic variety of job responsibilities as well as opportunities within the field leaving life to never have a dull moment.
What general advice would you give to a Parks Recreation Director?
Dr. Doug Kennedy CPRP: On a daily basis recreation managers must be skilled at a variety of responsibilities. Primarily these include personnel management, program planning, marketing and facility management. Recreation managers must ensure that leisure-time opportunities are available for everyone in a wide variety of locations. These include community recreation facilities, outdoor recreation areas, sporting venues, aquatic facilities and more. New professionals are key to recreation management. They tend to be a bit more focused than experienced managers who juggle a lot of balls in the workplace. Still, new professionals typically will be focused on providing programs and guaranteeing that facilities are safe and ready.
What Parks Recreation Director skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Doug Kennedy CPRP: Even before Covid I could see a switch in the workplace to more of a focus on work-life balance. Covid amplified that and we re-discovered the outdoors and recreation participation, and have seen a huge growth in the variety of sports for both participants and spectators. In short, people are seeing the value of recreation in their leisure time, and the importance of both, like never before.
What will help Parks Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Doug Kennedy CPRP: The most successful new recreation managers are those who are motivated by seeing the growth in others and receiving the appreciation connected to that. Very few professions on a daily basis allow people to really see the value of their work in the eyes of those they serve. The flip side of that though is that often your workday begins when the workday for others ends. People have their leisure time often on nights and weekends so the recreation manager must be on-the-job when others aren't! Lastly, when it comes to salaries my experience with three decades of new graduates is that entry-level salaries are often lower than other professions BUT as experience is gained they catch up quickly.
Brandon Podgorski
Associate Professor of Sport Management - Trine UniversityTrine University
Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Facilities Management
What will help Parks Recreation Directors increase their earning potential?
Brandon Podgorski: I like to reverse engineer this question. Find the jobs that pay the most and start to acquire the education and experience needed to land these positions as early as possible in your career. Have a value mindset and think about the things you can do to add value to your employer. You'll see your career take off on a faster trajectory than your peers.