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Social Services

Recreation Workers

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$36,560

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $50k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Recreation Workers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$40,200–$151,000

Time to qualify

5 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    State license — supervised hours + exam

    License

    Most counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.

    $200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Recreation Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Recreation Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $27,600

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Recreation Workers

    Established

    $36,560

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Recreation Workers

    Senior

    $43,485

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
  • •Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
  • •Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
  • •Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
  • •Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.