How much does a amusement and recreation attendant make?
The median amusement and recreation attendant in the United States earns $30,490 per year, about $14.66 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all amusement and recreation attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 39-3091.
Amusement and recreation attendant salary range
Pay for amusement and recreation attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $21,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $39,940. The average (mean) wage of $31,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,940 | $10.55 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $26,430 | $12.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $30,490 | $14.66 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $35,360 | $17.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $39,940 | $19.20 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for amusement and recreation attendants (SOC 39-3091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Amusement and recreation attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Amusement and recreation attendants earn the most in Alaska at $40,970 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $21,690. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $40,970 | 450 |
| Hawaii | $37,350 | 4,240 |
| Washington | $36,700 | 5,360 |
| District of Columbia | $36,140 | 270 |
| California | $35,570 | 51,970 |
| New York | $35,540 | 13,670 |
| Maryland | $34,640 | 9,030 |
| Vermont | $34,440 | 660 |
| Colorado | $34,400 | 10,160 |
| Massachusetts | $33,860 | 4,450 |
| Oregon | $33,810 | 3,770 |
| Maine | $33,700 | 950 |
| Connecticut | $32,640 | 2,080 |
| New Jersey | $31,710 | 11,220 |
| Minnesota | $31,080 | 6,620 |
| Arizona | $31,070 | 6,250 |
| Illinois | $30,980 | 11,910 |
| New Hampshire | $29,520 | 1,370 |
| Delaware | $29,270 | 1,710 |
| Rhode Island | $29,270 | 740 |
| Virginia | $28,930 | 9,420 |
| Missouri | $28,500 | 7,110 |
| Nevada | $28,470 | 6,740 |
| South Dakota | $28,450 | 1,490 |
| Wisconsin | $28,390 | 4,530 |
| Florida | $28,150 | 47,740 |
| New Mexico | $28,140 | 1,730 |
| Montana | $27,860 | 1,420 |
| North Dakota | $27,860 | 1,730 |
| Michigan | $27,560 | 10,450 |
| Utah | $27,170 | 5,960 |
| Texas | $27,130 | 25,720 |
| Idaho | $27,090 | 2,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,050 | 15,570 |
| Indiana | $26,580 | 6,280 |
| Ohio | $26,440 | 9,110 |
| Tennessee | $26,310 | 5,500 |
| Arkansas | $26,110 | 1,950 |
| Kentucky | $26,060 | 2,680 |
| South Carolina | $25,780 | 8,480 |
| Wyoming | $25,660 | 890 |
| Nebraska | $25,610 | 2,790 |
| Iowa | $25,550 | 4,310 |
| Georgia | $24,960 | 9,680 |
| North Carolina | $24,760 | 14,460 |
| Kansas | $23,920 | 3,270 |
| West Virginia | $23,840 | 780 |
| Louisiana | $22,620 | 2,110 |
| Oklahoma | $22,620 | 2,270 |
| Alabama | $21,930 | 6,690 |
| Mississippi | $21,690 | 1,680 |
State median wages for amusement and recreation attendants (SOC 39-3091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for amusement and recreation attendants
The BLS projects employment of amusement and recreation attendants to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 408,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 423,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100,400 openings a year for amusement and recreation attendants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an amusement and recreation attendant
The typical entry-level education for amusement and recreation attendants is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an amusement and recreation attendant earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $40,970) and the lowest (Mississippi, $21,690) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 371,590 people work as amusement and recreation attendants in the United States. At $30,490 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Amusement and recreation attendant salary FAQ
How much does an amusement and recreation attendant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an amusement and recreation attendant is $14.66. The middle half of amusement and recreation attendants earn between $12.71 and $17.00 per hour.
What is the highest amusement and recreation attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of amusement and recreation attendants earn more than $39,940 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an amusement and recreation attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for an amusement and recreation attendant is $30,490. The average (mean) wage of $31,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an amusement and recreation attendant a well paid job?
At $30,490 a year, an amusement and recreation attendant earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 371,590 people work as amusement and recreation attendants in the United States.
Which state pays amusement and recreation attendants the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for amusement and recreation attendants at $40,970 a year. Hawaii ($37,350) and Washington ($36,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an amusement and recreation attendant a good career?
Employment of amusement and recreation attendants is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an amusement and recreation attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for amusement and recreation attendants as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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