Recreation workers organize, lead and promote group activities, in camps, parks, community centers, senior centers and similar places. The job is about people in a room or a field together. AI can help plan and promote, but it cannot run the activity.
The short answer: AI exposure is low and openings are plentiful. The ILO's 2025 index rates fitness and recreation instructors and programme leaders, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.25. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4 percent growth for recreation workers from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 67,000 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed recreation workers 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness and Recreation Instructors and Programme Leaders | Not exposed | 0.25 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for recreation workers, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation workers | Grow 4% | About 67,000 |
The BLS expects many openings to come from replacing workers who move on or retire. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Brainstorming activity ideas and adapting them for ages and abilities.
- Drafting flyers, newsletters and sign-up pages.
- Scheduling rooms, staff and sessions.
- Writing permission forms and program summaries.
What stays with recreation workers
- Leading groups: keeping people engaged, included and having fun.
- Safety: supervising participants, often children or older adults.
- Adapting on the spot: changing plans for weather, energy and mood.
- Checking AI help: generated activity and safety advice can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The work stays in person. AI tools mainly save time on planning and promotion, leaving more time for running activities. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace fitness trainers?, will AI replace coaches? and will AI replace childcare workers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for recreation workers at $36,560 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: high school diploma or equivalent. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace recreation workers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 4 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
How exposed are recreation workers to AI?
The ILO rates fitness and recreation instructors and programme leaders, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.25.
How many openings are expected?
About 67,000 a year on average over the decade, according to the BLS.
Where can AI help recreation workers?
Planning, promotion, scheduling and paperwork. Leading the activity stays with people.