Entertainment and recreation managers oversee venues, programs, and experiences that bring people together. You'll lead teams, solve problems on the fly, and create memorable moments. Most positions require a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You manage the day-to-day operations of entertainment and recreation facilities and programs. This means communicating with staff and supervisors, building relationships with clients and partners, and making decisions that keep things running smoothly. You think creatively to develop new offerings, handle problems as they arise, and gather information to stay informed. You also work with people outside your organization, whether that's vendors, community groups, or the public. Your work touches customer service, training, administration, public safety, and technology.
Core work activities
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median of $79,520 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 5,500 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. The path requires considerable preparation and work experience. Start by pursuing a degree in a relevant area, then gain hands-on experience in hospitality, events, or recreation settings. Many managers begin in entry-level roles and move up as they develop leadership skills and industry knowledge. Your education should cover customer service, administration, and management principles. Building experience in different venues or program types strengthens your candidacy for management positions.
Most paths to entertainment and recreation management combine a bachelor's degree with progressive experience in the field. If you're deciding where to start or how to build your experience, Pathly can map the entertainment and recreation manager, except gambling path that fits you with your counselor to map out a plan that fits your timeline.
Many entertainment and recreation manager, except gamblings must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to leadership and business strategy. You enjoy persuading others, building teams, and driving results. You thrive in dynamic environments where you can shape outcomes and take charge.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).