Entertainment and Recreation Manager Salary in 2026
How Much Do Entertainment and Recreation Managers Make?
Entertainment and Recreation Managers earn a median annual salary of $77,180 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,320 at the 10th percentile to $134,680 at the 90th percentile — a range of $89,360. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $114,440.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,320 |
| 25th percentile | $58,380 |
| Median (50th) | $77,180 |
| 75th percentile | $101,750 |
| 90th percentile | $134,680 |
Entertainment and Recreation Manager Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $114,440 |
| Minnesota | $106,280 |
| New York | $97,500 |
| Washington | $96,250 |
| Kansas | $95,470 |
| Colorado | $94,990 |
| Alaska | $94,980 |
| Massachusetts | $94,770 |
| Hawaii | $91,090 |
| Virginia | $90,910 |
| Wyoming | $86,710 |
| New Jersey | $85,440 |
| New Hampshire | $84,220 |
| South Carolina | $81,040 |
| Wisconsin | $80,960 |
| Georgia | $80,230 |
| Idaho | $79,620 |
| California | $78,750 |
| Vermont | $78,400 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Missouri | $77,950 |
| Connecticut | $76,780 |
| Nevada | $75,480 |
| Maine | $74,710 |
| Montana | $74,450 |
| Maryland | $74,420 |
| Florida | $73,790 |
| Oklahoma | $73,700 |
| North Carolina | $72,910 |
| South Dakota | $72,570 |
| Oregon | $72,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,850 |
| Alabama | $69,330 |
| Kentucky | $68,720 |
| North Dakota | $68,070 |
| Nebraska | $66,990 |
| Utah | $66,800 |
| Illinois | $65,400 |
| Iowa | $64,440 |
| Tennessee | $63,950 |
| Indiana | $61,550 |
| Arizona | $61,080 |
| Arkansas | $60,640 |
| Michigan | $60,230 |
| Mississippi | $60,010 |
| Ohio | $57,810 |
| Louisiana | $49,230 |
| West Virginia | $42,570 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Entertainment and Recreation Managers
Entertainment and Recreation Manager Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,320 – $58,380 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$77,180 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$101,750 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $134,680+ |
How to Earn More as an Entertainment and Recreation Manager
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Entertainment and Recreation Managers in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI earn $111,130 — $33,950 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($101,750) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Entertainment and Recreation Manager Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managerthis career | $77,180 |
| General and Operations Manager | $102,950 |
| Facilities Manager | $104,690 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $56,270 |
| Lodging Manager | $68,130 |
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SOC: 11-9072.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.