Entertainment and recreation managers plan programs of events and activities, write and manage strategies and budgets, run the daily operation of events, facilities or programs, talk with customers and resolve complaints, explain rules, keep facilities safe and accessible, and hire, train and direct staff. They work in places such as country clubs, fitness centers and parks.
The short answer: low exposure, with growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates sports, recreation and cultural centre managers at minimal exposure, with a score of 0.32. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 5,100 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed recreation managers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Sports, Recreation and Cultural Centre Managers | Minimal exposure | 0.32 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment and recreation managers | Grow 6% | About 5,100 |
The BLS ties growth to public interest in recreational activities such as golf and pickleball. It also expects an increased emphasis on lifelong well-being to create demand in settings including country clubs, fitness centers and parks. Many projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting event schedules, program descriptions and promotions.
- Preparing budgets and reports.
- Answering routine customer questions about times and rules.
What stays with recreation managers
- Running the day: managing events, facilities and programs on site.
- Safety: making sure facilities and programs are safe and accessible.
- People: hiring, training and directing staff, and resolving complaints.
- Checking AI help: generated schedules and answers can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The BLS expects growing interest in recreation and well-being. The on-site, people-facing core of the job stays with the manager. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace recreation workers?, will AI replace event planners? and will AI replace fitness trainers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for entertainment and recreation managers at $79,520 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace recreation managers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 6 percent growth for entertainment and recreation managers from 2025 to 2035, with about 5,100 openings a year.
How exposed are recreation managers to AI?
The ILO rates sports, recreation and cultural centre managers at minimal exposure, with a score of 0.32.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to interest in activities such as golf and pickleball, and an emphasis on lifelong well-being.
What do recreation managers do?
They plan events and activities, manage budgets and daily operations, keep facilities safe and lead staff.