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Job outlook for recreation programmers in the United States
Are recreation programmer jobs in demand?
Recreation programmer job and salary trends over time
Recreation programmer jobs over time
Recreation programmer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 167 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 206 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 227 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 223 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 223 | 0.00% |
Average recreation programmer salary over time
Recreation programmer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,908 | $18.23 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $35,122 | $16.89 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $33,403 | $16.06 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $32,710 | $15.73 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $31,817 | $15.30 | +2.4% |
Recreation programmer jobs by state
Most common states for recreation programmers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 60 | 8% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 30 | 4% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 26 | 4% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 22 | 4% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 194 | 3% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 184 | 3% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 102 | 3% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 52 | 3% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 29 | 3% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 22 | 3% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 206 | 2% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 187 | 2% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 149 | 2% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 103 | 2% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 99 | 2% |
| 17 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 49 | 2% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 31 | 2% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 30 | 2% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 25 | 2% |
Recreation Programmer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of recreation programmer experts
Temple University
University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
Central Washington University
Shepherd University
Eastern Kentucky University
Daniel Funk Ph.D.
Professor and Ed Rosen Senior Research FellowTemple University
Parks, Recreation, And Leisure Facilities Management
What general advice would you give to a Recreation Programmer?
Daniel Funk Ph.D.: Parks and recreation as a profession offers a diverse employment and career ecosystem as individuals work in and across a variety of settings. A beneficial element to focus on when beginning a career is to adopt a service excellence perspective. In other words, focus on designing and delivering experiences that enhance users' (or participants) physical, mental, and social well-being. Also, don't forget to apply what you learned in academic courses and through industry internships. The knowledge and experience gained will become more relevant and valuable as you move upward beyond entry level positions. Given the current age of the workforce in P&R, there will be opportunities for advancement into leadership/management roles.
What Recreation Programmer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Funk Ph.D.: The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects employment of recreation workers will grow 5% from 2022 to 2032 providing opportunities for both employment and potential career advancement. Key skills for P&R professionals will be interpersonal (ability to build relationships with participants, colleagues, and community leaders), communication (ability to create and convey information to diverse audiences), organizational (ability to manage multiple projects and tasks), problem-solving (ability to critically think to adapt to situations and address diverse participant needs) and leadership (ability to motivate participants and inspire colleagues). As the US population ages, there will be demand for life-long recreation and well-being for older adults.
What will help Recreation Programmers 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.
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 Programmer 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 will help Recreation Programmers 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 Programmers?
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.
Dr. David Rolfe
Associate ProfessorCentral Washington University
Department of Sport and Movement Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Recreation Programmers?
Dr. David Rolfe: Although a certification is not necessarily required for many positions in Recreation, often upper-level managers and directors are encouraged to be a "Certified Parks and Recreation Professional" (CPRP). This is a certification offered through the National Recreation and Parks Association. Additionally, there are certifications for specific career tracks within Recreation Management: Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) for pool managers, Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) for those interested in maintaining playground equipment. These are really only needed for specific positions; not the recreation generalist.
Dr. Stacey Kendig
Director and Associate ProfessorShepherd University
School of Recreation, Sport and Exercise Science
What's a good job out of college for Recreation Programmers?
Dr. Stacey Kendig: A "good job" out of college is a broad statement/concept. I think that this is relevant to each individual graduate depending upon their professional and career goals. I believe that one graduates idea of a "good" job can be quite different from others. For example, some graduates only look at salary as the guiding point to secure employment. Therefore, to that graduate, this would be considered good! On the other hand, another graduate may perceive a good job in the sport industry working as an Assistant to a Director (marketing as an example). Keep in mind that many graduates just want "a job" and do not seek positions that carry a lot of responsibility or require time in a leadership role. This is a tough question to give a definitive answer to as I think it an individual preference.
Dr. Jon McChesney
Department Chair & Graduate CoordinatorEastern Kentucky University
Department of Recreation & Park Administration
What type of skills will young Recreation Programmers 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.
How do you envision technology impacting Recreation Programmers 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.