Career Explorer Personal care
Human edge, growing
Recreation workers
Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 87% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +4.3% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and creative vision.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $36,560
- Job growth to 2035
- +4.3%
- Openings a year
- 67,000
- People doing it (2025)
- 347,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Promote products, services, or programs
- Gather information from physical or electronic sources
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Coordinate group, community, or public activities
- Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance
- Prepare reports of operational or procedural activities
What the work looks like
- Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
- Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
- Assess the needs and interests of individuals and groups and plan activities accordingly, given the available equipment or facilities.
- Manage the daily operations of recreational facilities.
- Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructorsHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +7.3%
- Animal trainersHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +4.2%
- Skincare specialistsHuman edge, growing, Index 97, +8.8%
- Makeup artists, theatrical and performanceHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
Also known as: Activities Director, Activity Aide, Activity Director, Recreation Supervisor, Activities Assistant, Activity Assistant, Activity Coordinator, Recreation Assistant.
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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.