Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary by state
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling is a professional role within the function in the Management job family.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
What Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gamblings do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
Top skills:SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pay by experience level
Entry level$48,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$63,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$82,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$108,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$144,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+7.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary by industry
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries
15,640 workers
$90,500
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
14,100 workers
$90,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
9,140 workers
$105,000
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
8,590 workers
$106,000
Educational Services
3,000 workers
$80,500
Accommodation
2,360 workers
$92,000
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
2,280 workers
$100,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
2,270 workers
$76,000
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
2,110 workers
$77,500
Other Schools and Instruction
1,850 workers
$75,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Plan, organize, or lead group activities for customers, such as exercise routines, athletic events, or arts and crafts.
Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
Interview and hire associates to fill staff vacancies.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pays 35% below the average across 58 roles in the Management job family (family average $144,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling make?
The average base salary for a Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling in the United States is $93,000 per year, or about $44.71 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $63,000 and $108,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Management roles?
The Management job family averages $144,000 across 58 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
