How much does a entertainment and recreation manager make?
The median entertainment and recreation manager in the United States earns $79,520 per year, about $38.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all entertainment and recreation managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-9072.
Entertainment and recreation manager salary range
Pay for entertainment and recreation managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,270 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $139,110. The average (mean) wage of $89,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,270 | $22.25 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,520 | $38.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $104,770 | $50.37 | |
| 90th percentile | $139,110 | $66.88 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling (SOC 11-9072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Entertainment and recreation manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Entertainment and recreation managers earn the most in District of Columbia at $113,930 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $47,310. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $113,930 | 30 |
| Minnesota | $107,660 | 480 |
| New York | $98,390 | 1,330 |
| Colorado | $97,000 | 940 |
| Washington | $96,790 | 630 |
| Idaho | $95,020 | 110 |
| Vermont | $92,320 | 270 |
| New Jersey | $89,590 | 2,260 |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 | 1,030 |
| Wyoming | $88,790 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $88,750 | 40 |
| Missouri | $83,620 | 370 |
| Florida | $83,520 | 2,620 |
| Georgia | $83,470 | 830 |
| Maine | $82,780 | 70 |
| Nevada | $82,370 | 410 |
| Maryland | $81,220 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $81,160 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $80,130 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $80,090 | 170 |
| California | $79,550 | 7,000 |
| Utah | $79,400 | 370 |
| South Carolina | $79,110 | 440 |
| Texas | $78,500 | 2,880 |
| Oklahoma | $78,420 | 100 |
| Oregon | $78,200 | 930 |
| Connecticut | $78,010 | 130 |
| North Carolina | $77,990 | 1,200 |
| Illinois | $77,310 | 3,260 |
| Wisconsin | $77,140 | 170 |
| Arizona | $76,550 | 880 |
| South Dakota | $76,000 | 160 |
| Virginia | $74,800 | 310 |
| Alaska | $70,700 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $70,530 | 540 |
| Kansas | $69,990 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,990 | 1,220 |
| Iowa | $68,320 | 620 |
| Mississippi | $67,670 | 90 |
| Alabama | $66,540 | 190 |
| Michigan | $65,890 | 1,670 |
| Nebraska | $63,270 | 310 |
| Indiana | $62,760 | 340 |
| Louisiana | $62,390 | 90 |
| Ohio | $58,440 | 1,280 |
| Arkansas | $49,640 | 230 |
| West Virginia | $47,310 | 100 |
State median wages for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling (SOC 11-9072), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for entertainment and recreation managers
The BLS projects employment of entertainment and recreation managers to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 43,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 46,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,100 openings a year for entertainment and recreation managers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an entertainment and recreation manager
The typical entry-level education for entertainment and recreation managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an entertainment and recreation manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $113,930) and the lowest (West Virginia, $47,310) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 37,980 people work as entertainment and recreation managers in the United States. At $79,520 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Entertainment and recreation manager salary FAQ
How much does an entertainment and recreation manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an entertainment and recreation manager is $38.23. The middle half of entertainment and recreation managers earn between $29.36 and $50.37 per hour.
What is the highest entertainment and recreation manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of entertainment and recreation managers earn more than $139,110 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an entertainment and recreation manager make a year?
The median annual salary for an entertainment and recreation manager is $79,520. The average (mean) wage of $89,750 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an entertainment and recreation manager a well paid job?
At $79,520 a year, an entertainment and recreation manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 37,980 people work as entertainment and recreation managers in the United States.
Which state pays entertainment and recreation managers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for entertainment and recreation managers at $113,930 a year. Minnesota ($107,660) and New York ($98,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an entertainment and recreation manager a good career?
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an entertainment and recreation manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for entertainment and recreation managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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