Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for recreation assistants in the United States
Recreation assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected recreation assistant job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 28,100 new jobs for recreation assistants are projected over the next decade.
Recreation assistant salaries have increased 19% for recreation assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 19,093 recreation assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 4,088 active recreation assistant job openings in the US.
The average recreation assistant salary is $31,040.
Are recreation assistant jobs in demand?
Recreation assistant job and salary trends over time
Recreation assistant jobs over time
Recreation assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,093 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 23,550 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 25,944 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,570 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 25,481 | 0.01% |
Average recreation assistant salary over time
Recreation assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,040 | $14.92 | +7.9% |
| 2025 | $28,759 | $13.83 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $27,351 | $13.15 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $26,784 | $12.88 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $26,053 | $12.53 | +2.4% |
Recreation assistant jobs by state
Most common states for recreation assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 42 | 6% |
| 2 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 110 | 4% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 29 | 4% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 21 | 4% |
| 5 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 344 | 3% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 185 | 3% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 170 | 3% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 34 | 3% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 355 | 2% |
| 10 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 183 | 2% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 179 | 2% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 136 | 2% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 126 | 2% |
| 14 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 113 | 2% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 73 | 2% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 46 | 2% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 32 | 2% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 28 | 2% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 26 | 2% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 25 | 2% |
Most common cities for recreation assistants
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson | 2 | 7% | $25,067 |
| 2 | Dublin | 2 | 3% | $35,749 |
| 3 | Alexandria | 1 | 2% | $20,206 |
| 4 | Battle Creek | 1 | 2% | $30,495 |
| 5 | Anchorage | 3 | 1% | $38,546 |
| 6 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $40,366 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $23,918 |
| 8 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $33,457 |
| 9 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $34,287 |
| 10 | Seattle | 2 | 0% | $40,386 |
Recreation Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of recreation assistant experts
Temple University
University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
Eastern Kentucky University
Central Washington University
Central Michigan University
Eastern Kentucky University
Daniel Funk Ph.D.
Professor and Ed Rosen Senior Research FellowTemple University
Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Facilities Management
What will help Recreation Assistants increase their earning potential?
Daniel Funk Ph.D.: When beginning a career in P&R, a professional should be willing to seek out opportunities within an organization (to gain diverse skills and competencies across functional areas) and willing to move geographically to similar organizations. It will also be beneficial to join national, state, and regional organizations like National Recreation and Parks Association, National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, and American Therapeutic Recreation Association. Attempt to attend their conferences to keep up with current trends and network.
Robert Barcelona Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate ProfessorUniversity of New Hampshire
Department of Recreation Management & Policy
What hard/technical skills are most important for Recreation Assistants?
Robert Barcelona Ph.D.: Being comfortable with specific technology applications like facility scheduling and maintenance and point-of-sale software, spreadsheets and databases, desktop publishing, and Photoshop are all really important. In the end, recreation specialists need to have a solid foundation in program and event design, personnel management, organizational leadership, finance and budgeting, risk management, marketing and promotion, program evaluation, facility and equipment management, strategic and master planning, and working in government and policy environments.
What skills will help Recreation Assistants earn the most?
Robert Barcelona Ph.D.: One of the emerging trends that we are seeing is comfortability with data analysis - particularly having the skill set to collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data, and to make decisions based on that analysis. Those with the skills to analyze large-scale park usage data, for instance, can help drive decisions and set policy regarding pricing, maintenance, staffing, and transportation, among others. Being comfortable working with and managing data can be a difference-maker.
Jayson Seaman
Associate Professor of Outdoor Leadership and ManagementUniversity of New Hampshire
Department of Recreation Management and Policy
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Recreation Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Jayson Seaman: I anticipate strong employment following the pandemic in both outdoor recreation and education sectors. People have rediscovered the outdoors as an important resource for leisure and wellness, and communities with lots of outdoor amenities are thriving. There will be many opportunities to manage and serve outdoor users in the future both directly and indirectly. Additionally, families and parents have also relished the opportunity during the pandemic to enroll their kids in outdoor activities. What service providers have managed to stay open have experienced a surge of interest, with so few other opportunities for kids to stay healthy, active, and connected to peers. We're even seeing bipartisan interest among legislators to support outdoor education and recreation in and out of schools going forward.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Recreation Assistants?
Jayson Seaman: I am on the outdoor leadership side of the field where wilderness medical training is important as are other activity- or discipline-specific certifications from groups like the American Canoe Association (paddlesports) and the American Mountain Guides Association (alpine and rock climbing). Job candidates should be sure to pursue certification through reputable, national bodies and associations.
What will help Recreation Assistants increase their earning potential?
Michael Ferguson Ph.D.: There are two primary channels that will help people increase their earning potential in the field of recreation management and policy: 1) education, and 2) field experience. Ideally, a combination of both. An undergraduate and master's degree in recreation management and policy establishes foundations in the theories, philosophies, research, methods, and administration of outdoor recreation management while preferably gaining skills and proficiencies in outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing and backpacking (see the RMP OLM site for more insight). Field experience in parks and protected areas can be acquired through internships, practicums, field research, and job shadowing as well.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Recreation Assistants?
Michael Ferguson Ph.D.: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact upon outdoor recreation both in the United States and worldwide. In the decades leading up to the pandemic, outdoor recreation visitation had consistently and incrementally increased across local, state, and federal parks and protected areas. Adding fuel to this visitation fire, the pandemic has caused dramatic and abrupt increases in visitation across an already overwhelmed parks and protected areas system. This explosion in interest in parks and protected areas has created both benefits and challenges for the visitors, communities, stakeholder, and managers who are dependent upon the outdoor recreation industry. Moreover, the pandemic has open myriad opportunities for students graduating with a degree in Recreation Management and Policy. Now more than ever, parks and protected areas at the local, state, federal, private, and non-profit levels are demanding an educated and skilled workforce to manage and protect these resources while simultaneously providing high-quality outdoor recreation experiences.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Recreation Assistants?
Michael Ferguson Ph.D.: There are numerous certifications, licenses, and competencies that will significantly increase a student's job opportunities and prospects. Within the realm of parks and protected areas, these include, but are not limited to: geographic information systems, parks planning and management, natural resource management, social science research, quantitative and qualitative research methods, advanced statistical analysis, wilderness first responder (WFR), certified park and recreation professional (CPRP), certified parks and recreation executive (CRPE), aquatic facility operator (AFO), american institute for avalanche research and education 1-3 (AIARE), association for challenge course technology 1-3 (ACCT), etc., just to name a few.
Dr. Brian G. Clark
Assistant ProfessorEastern Kentucky University
Department of Recreation & Park Administration
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Recreation Assistants?
Dr. Brian G. Clark: Parks and Natural areas have seen a huge increase in visitor usage during the pandemic. More and more people have been engaging in outdoor recreation as a way to be active while indoor recreation centers have been closed or having limited capacity. So, there will probably be an enduring impact on graduates in a couple different ways. One will be how we recover and restore these natural areas after we have seen the carrying capacity exceeded. With the increase in visitor usage there will be an impact on these areas and restoring these natural areas will be a major project over the years to come. Also, there will be an opportunity to capitalize on this increase in outdoor recreation and continue to provide areas and experiences for these visitors. I believe this increase will continue and the real challenge will be how to manage these areas in a sustainable way. I hope this increase will lead to more support of parks and recreational areas and therefore more land availability and funding.
Dr. David Rolfe
Associate ProfessorCentral Washington University
Department of Sport and Movement Studies
What's a good job out of college for Recreation Assistants?
Dr. David Rolfe: A good entry-level position in Recreation would be something like a Recreation Coordinator, Recreation Specialist, Camp Director, or any entry-level manager overseeing a specific function of a recreation operation such as aquatics, youth, sports, teen, seniors, etc. These would all be great entry-level positions because they offer the employee some limited responsibility in staff and budget management, all while still maintaining a direct connection to the customers served. These positions are often found in municipal parks and recreation departments, non-profit organizations (such as the YMCA or Boys and Girls Clubs of America), and commercial businesses (such as resorts, outfitters, private clubs/gyms).
Robert Frost
ChairpersonCentral Michigan University
Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Administration
What skills stand out on Recreation Assistant 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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Recreation Assistant 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.
Dr. Jon McChesney
Department Chair & Graduate CoordinatorEastern Kentucky University
Department of Recreation & Park Administration
What type of skills will young Recreation Assistants need?
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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Recreation Assistants to find work opportunities?
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.
How do you envision technology impacting Recreation Assistants in the next 5 years?
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.