Recreation Leader / Aide: Pay & Requirements

Overview

Sourced

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

O*NET definition of Recreation Workers (SOC 39-9032) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

128,620

in government (SOC 39-9032)

39%

of this occupation works for government

$36,630

median pay in government

Local

levels of government

Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 39-9032, including Recreation Coordinator / Supervisor.

Titles employers use

Activities DirectorActivity AideActivity DirectorRecreation SupervisorActivities AssistantActivity AssistantActivity CoordinatorRecreation AssistantRecreation Coordinator

How people usually get in Editorial

application. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 39-9032)

Education needed to enter: High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

Less than a High School Diploma

High School Diploma or the equivalent

25%

Post-Secondary Certificate

Some College Courses

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Bachelor's Degree

62%

Master's Degree

Share of surveyed workers in Recreation Workers (SOC 39-9032) naming each level as required to be hired, 27 respondents, O*NET survey July 2017. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

How to get hired

Sourced

Recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent, although requirements may vary by type of job. Once hired, these workers typically need a short period of on-the-job training.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Recreation Workers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 39-9032: Short-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Considerable Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Seasonal hourly: seasonal/hourly with returning-season rate increases. Typical structure for a seasonal position; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Seasonal I (first season)
Returning-season steps
Senior seasonal / Lead
Year-round / Permanent
Supervisor (e.g. Lifeguard → Lieutenant → Captain)

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$73,320

State

$38,890

Local

$36,520

All government

$36,630

Private sector

$36,520

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	1,740	$45,680	$53,290	$73,320	$85,280	$96,370
State	10,840	$27,940	$35,010	$38,890	$47,870	$57,050
Local	116,040	$27,320	$31,970	$36,520	$43,130	$52,470
All government	128,620	$27,520	$32,220	$36,630	$44,470	$55,400
Private sector	202,870	$27,640	$31,560	$36,520	$43,180	$48,840

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

81%

Irregular

19%

Seasonal

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

41%

40 hours

38%

More than 40 hours

21%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, July 2017). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.4.3
Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.4.3
Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.4.3
Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.4.2
Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.4.2
Explain principles, techniques, and safety procedures to participants in recreational activities and demonstrate use of materials and equipment.4.1
Complete and maintain time and attendance forms and inventory lists.4.1
Direct special activities or events, such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts.4.0
Evaluate recreation areas, facilities, and services to determine if they are producing desired results.4.0
Supervise and coordinate the work activities of personnel, such as training staff members and assigning work duties.4.0

The 10 most important of 18 core tasks for Recreation Workers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of July 2017.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Recreation Workers (SOC 39-9032) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
District of Columbia	470	$37,990	$46,460	$66,750
Washington	6,380	$35,660	$44,890	$59,790
South Dakota	650	$32,390	$42,270	$60,470
Hawaii	1,590	$31,690	$41,000	$45,270
California	48,560	$35,900	$39,780	$56,150
Oregon	4,640	$32,330	$39,610	$56,730
Colorado	6,100	$31,080	$38,820	$53,580
Massachusetts	11,280	$32,910	$38,540	$50,090
New York	24,790	$33,260	$38,040	$54,610
Alaska	630	$36,720	$37,510	$66,140
Minnesota	7,940	$29,460	$37,510	$52,190
Maine	1,260	$30,790	$37,450	$53,620
Vermont	840	$32,130	$37,450	$51,310
North Dakota	730	$22,250	$37,310	$54,000
Maryland	4,350	$32,390	$37,200	$56,160
New Hampshire	2,030	$27,040	$37,040	$51,240
New Jersey	7,550	$32,220	$36,880	$49,240
Connecticut	5,000	$34,010	$36,610	$51,340
Rhode Island	770	$31,290	$36,340	$52,920
Virginia	9,260	$27,390	$36,120	$53,800
Arizona	12,650	$31,130	$35,800	$51,310
Pennsylvania	9,850	$24,940	$35,710	$55,030
Wisconsin	6,840	$26,440	$35,530	$50,980
Florida	18,010	$29,130	$35,490	$49,130
Illinois	17,650	$31,200	$35,480	$47,480
Michigan	10,850	$29,020	$35,090	$47,740
Montana	800	$29,070	$35,090	$50,020
Nebraska	1,510	$28,520	$34,590	$46,500
Missouri	5,380	$28,600	$34,320	$46,830
Delaware	1,230	$31,200	$33,790	$44,930
Iowa	2,870	$24,420	$33,700	$46,740
Tennessee	3,420	$23,960	$33,580	$46,550
Utah	5,760	$22,520	$32,890	$47,450
North Carolina	9,520	$22,060	$32,720	$50,810
Texas	18,660	$22,910	$32,720	$47,870
Georgia	8,160	$22,340	$32,540	$48,870
Ohio	12,340	$24,580	$32,420	$47,220
Kentucky	3,290	$22,770	$32,400	$46,120
New Mexico	870	$26,510	$31,900	$52,960
Kansas	2,990	$22,160	$31,760	$45,250
Oklahoma	2,380	$21,330	$31,580	$47,390
South Carolina	5,270	$21,050	$31,420	$48,230
Wyoming	790	$25,720	$30,720	$49,300
Indiana	8,050	$22,470	$30,190	$45,710
Nevada	2,570	$26,930	$30,150	$50,220
Idaho	2,080	$21,150	$30,100	$50,370
West Virginia	1,410	$22,340	$29,710	$53,400
Louisiana	2,830	$19,300	$28,580	$45,320
Alabama	4,700	$19,150	$28,360	$45,110
Mississippi	2,220	$19,350	$28,060	$40,710
Arkansas	1,740	$23,700	$27,770	$42,530

51 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
Not yet collected

Recreation Leader / Aide

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

How to get hired

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected