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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 145 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 179 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 197 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 195 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 194 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,478 | $14.65 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $28,238 | $13.58 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $26,856 | $12.91 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $26,298 | $12.64 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $25,580 | $12.30 | +2.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 542 | 19% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 142 | 19% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 172 | 18% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 443 | 15% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 318 | 15% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 112 | 13% |
| 7 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 210 | 12% |
| 8 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 516 | 11% |
| 9 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 443 | 11% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 43 | 6% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 28 | 5% |
| 12 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 305 | 4% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 58 | 4% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 37 | 4% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 170 | 3% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 148 | 3% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 97 | 3% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 37 | 3% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 32 | 3% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 16 | 3% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Luis Obispo | 1 | 2% | $34,046 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $28,360 |
| 3 | Saint Paul | 1 | 0% | $44,482 |
Heidelberg University
Central Michigan University
Eastern Kentucky University
Heidelberg University
Paige Atterholt: I think now, being in year 2 of the pandemic, I think if anything there will be more jobs for graduates. Just looking through the jobs online, there are many opportunities for graduates to get a job. I think the older community retired when things got bad, which opened the door for the younger generation.
Central Michigan University
Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration
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.
Robert Frost: Corresponding to the new delivery formats are the accompanying skills; virtual programming, video production, social media abilities, and overall creativity and flexibility.
Eastern Kentucky University
Department of Recreation & Park Administration
Dr. Jon McChesney: Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence and a relationship orientation for graduates. The need for connection is perhaps greater than at any time in our history, given the loneliness epidemic, the increase in depression, and suicide. Professionals need to be mindful of the issues facing our country and demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural agility. Creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change will continue to be important as recreation is forced to evolve in a Covid-19 world and beyond.
Dr. Jon McChesney: Typically, graduates have good job opportunities throughout the United States, given the magnitude of the industry. For example, event planning was a 33% growth industry, and in 2019 tourism employed one in every ten people on Earth! Covid-19 has had a profound impact on recreation, parks, and tourism, but there will be a recovery. We are currently seeing a resurgence in outdoor recreation and people experiencing parks throughout the country. Graduates will need to continue to nurture their professional network and be patient with the current job's climate.
Dr. Jon McChesney: The recreation field has not always embraced technology, given our roots in play, community building, and the outdoors. Technology has been used extensively in marketing processes, but the integration into programming efforts has not been as robust. Covid-19 has forced agencies to embrace technology in recreation program delivery, which has the potential to be empowering. Our profession needs to consider a paradigm shift to more of a facilitator role, with municipal recreation agencies operating as a clearinghouse of programs and services, rather than a focus on direct service. Such a dramatic shift would require significant use of technology.