How much does a recreation supervisor make?
Answer: A typical recreation supervisor in the United States makes $48,560 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 103,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Recreation supervisor pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $34,760 | $48,560 | $79,060 | about 103,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $62,900 | about 2,000 |
| Colorado | $58,640 | about 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $56,990 | about 3,000 |
| Hawaii | $55,700 | about 720 |
| Connecticut | $53,980 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, credentials valued by employers, and how much responsibility the supervisor has. The employer and location matter too, as do the hours worked.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a recreation supervisor do?
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of entertainment and recreation related workers.
What's a typical day like?
They plan sports, aquatics, or game schedules with staff and organize the activities. During programs, they watch how things are going, answer visitors’ questions, and help sort out complaints.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED, then gain experience in recreation or entertainment before moving into a supervisor role. Related work experience is typical, so learning to run activities and guide staff on the job can help prepare you.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Recreation supervisors may order safety harnesses, flashlights, and first-aid kits—not just plan games!
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Personal Care and Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-1014.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/39-1014.00
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes391014.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY