Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling fall under the Management category in the U.S. occupational classification. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median salary of $77,180 per year, ranking in the top 27% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +7.7% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, 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 entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling earn?

The median annual wage for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling is $77,180. That puts entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling at #219 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. 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 entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling is +7.7%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 43K positions in 2024 to 46K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling do every day?

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

1. 1.Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
2. 2.Administer first aid in emergency situations.
3. 3.Assign tasks and work hours to staff.
4. 4.Store and retrieve equipment, such as vehicles, radios, and ride components.
5. 5.Train workers in company procedures or policy.
6. 6.Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
7. 7.Calculate and record department expenses and revenue.
8. 8.Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.

Top skills for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling

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 entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling?

The standard path into entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. 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.

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Common questions parents ask about entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling