The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment opportunities for recreation workers will increase by 8 percent through 2028, or faster than the average for all occupations. The expected expansion in the recreation field will result from increased leisure time and income for the population as a whole, along with a continuing interest in fitness and health. As the baby-boom generation continues to age, the growing elderly population will create demand in nursing homes, senior centers, and retirement communities. There is also a demand for recreation workers to conduct activity programs for special needs groups.
Recreation programs that depend on government funding are most affected in times of economic downturns when budgets are reduced. This means that competition will increase significantly for jobs in the private sector. "Additional recreation workers are expected to be needed to work for fitness and recreational sports centers, youth centers, sports clubs, and other for- and not-for-profit organizations because some parks and recreation departments may seek to cut costs by contracting out the services of activity specialists," the DOL explains.
Opportunities for staff positions will be best for individuals who have formal training in recreation and for those with previous experience. Those with graduate degrees will have the best opportunities for administrative or supervisory positions.
- Adventure Travel Specialists
- Aerobics Instructors and Fitness Trainers
- Amusement Park Workers
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Athletic Directors
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Baristas
- Bartenders
- Bed and Breakfast Owners
- Bicycle Mechanics
- Botanists
- Cancer Exercise Specialists
- Caterers
- Civil Engineers
- Cooks and Chefs
- Cruise Ship Workers
- Ecologists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- EPA Special Agents
- E-Sports Professionals
- Event Planners
- Exercise Physiologists
- Fast Food Workers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Fitness Directors
- Flight Attendants
- Food Service Workers
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Gaming Occupations
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Grounds Managers
- Health Club Owners and Managers
- Historians
- Hosts/Hostesses
- Hotel and Motel Managers
- Hotel Concierges
- Hotel Desk Clerks
- Hotel Executive Housekeepers
- Hotel Restaurant Managers
- Housekeepers and Maids
- Inbound Tour Guides
- Jockeys
- Kinesiologists
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscapers
- Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors
- Marine Biologists
- Museum Attendants
- Museum Directors and Curators
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Park Rangers
- Parking Attendants
- Personal Shoppers
- Personal Trainers
- Physical Education Teachers
- Physical Therapists
- Physical Therapy Assistants
- Pilots
- Professional Athletes, Individual Sports
- Professional Athletes, Team Sports
- Range Managers
- Recreational Therapists
- Reservation and Ticket Agents
- Resort Workers
- Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Rewilders
- Ship's Captains
- Ski Resort Workers
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Spa Attendants
- Spa Managers
- Space Tourism Managers
- Sports Agents
- Sports Broadcasters and Announcers
- Sports Equipment Managers
- Sports Executives
- Sports Facility Managers
- Sports Instructors and Coaches
- Sports Photographers
- Sports Physicians
- Sports Psychologists
- Sports Publicists
- Sports Scouts
- Sports Trainers
- Sportswriters
- Stadium Ushers and Vendors
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Tour Guides
- Travel Agents
- Umpires and Referees
- Wedding and Party Consultants
- Wildland Firefighters
- Yoga and Pilates Instructors
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors