Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Amusement and Recreation Attendants fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Amusement and Recreation Attendants earn a median salary of $30,490 per year, ranking in the top 99% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +3.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do amusement and recreation attendants earn?

The median annual wage for amusement and recreation attendants is $30,490. That puts amusement and recreation attendants at #805 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is amusement and recreation attendants a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for amusement and recreation attendants is +3.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 392K positions in 2024 to 405K in 2034, a net change of 13K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do amusement and recreation attendants do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working amusement and recreation attendants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Keep informed of shut-down and emergency evacuation procedures.
2. 2.Maintain inventories of equipment, storing and retrieving items and assembling and disassembling equipment as necessary.
3. 3.Sell tickets and collect fees from customers.
4. 4.Direct patrons to rides, seats, or attractions.
5. 5.Provide information about facilities, entertainment options, and rules and regulations.
6. 6.Monitor activities to ensure adherence to rules and safety procedures, or arrange for the removal of unruly patrons.
7. 7.Record details of attendance, sales, receipts, reservations, or repair activities.

Top skills for amusement and recreation attendants

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become amusement and recreation attendant?

Many amusement and recreation attendants enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
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• Embalmers
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• Costume Attendants
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• Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
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• Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
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• First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
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Common questions parents ask about amusement and recreation attendants