Entertainment and recreation managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Entertainment and recreation managers in the United States earn a median salary of $79,520 per year — about $38 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 43K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +8%.
AI & Automation Risk
This role involves a significant amount of digital knowledge work, such as budgeting, scheduling, and strategic planning, which is highly susceptible to AI optimization. However, the core of the job requires physical presence to inspect facilities, manage real-time emergencies, and provide high-touch interpersonal leadership and customer service in physical environments like parks and fitness centers.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WIBEST VALUE | $123,780 | Above avg (104.3) | $118,675 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $120,410 | Above avg (106.5) | $113,083 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $116,000 | Above avg (106.4) | $109,064 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $99,770 | Below avg (92.5) | $107,858 |
| Boise City, ID | $98,740 | Below avg (94.2) | $104,771 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $99,640 | Below avg (96.0) | $103,788 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $98,270 | Below avg (95.7) | $102,642 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $105,500 | Above avg (103.1) | $102,328 |
| Savannah, GA | $97,900 | Below avg (95.9) | $102,077 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $93,220 | Below avg (91.4) | $101,941 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $98,560 | Average (98.1) | $100,456 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $98,390 | Average (98.2) | $100,217 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $99,170 | Average (100.8) | $98,429 |
| Boulder, CO | $97,730 | Average (100.6) | $97,134 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $100,500 | Above avg (105.8) | $95,019 |