Career Explorer Management
Grows with AI
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 68% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by +6.0% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $79,520
- Job growth to 2035
- +6.0%
- Openings a year
- 5,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 43,900
- Usual route in
- Bachelor's degree
Where people already use AI for this work
- Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Plan events or programs
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Inspect facilities or equipment
- Reconcile financial data
- Develop organizational policies, systems, or processes
What the work looks like
- Write budgets to plan recreational activities or programs.
- Talk to coworkers using electronic devices, such as computers and radios.
- Talk to customers to convey information about events or activities.
- Plan programs of events or schedules of activities.
- Explain rules and regulations of facilities and entertainment attractions to customers.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Medical and health services managersGrows with AI, Index 76, +24.2%
- Speech-language pathologistsGrows with AI, Index 77, +16.6%
- Occupational therapistsGrows with AI, Index 84, +14.8%
- Meeting, convention, and event plannersGrows with AI, Index 70, +5.8%
Also known as: Camp Director, Events Manager, Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Aquatic Program Manager, Golf Course Manager, Ice Arena Director, Park Manager.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.