Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling Salary
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median $79,520 a year nationally. Management Occupations
What entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling do
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 5,100
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling is projected to grow 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,664
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,930
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,153
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$64,772
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,270 | $22.25 | $39,358 |
| 25th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 | $51,242 |
| Median (50th) | $79,520 | $38.23 | $64,772 |
| 75th percentile | $104,770 | $50.37 | $82,536 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,110 | $66.88 | $106,348 |
Best cities for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $94,390 | $70,705 | $62,813 | 2,410 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,570 | $61,668 | $59,528 | 2,530 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $94,390
- Chicago, IL — $80,570
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $113,930 | −0.4% | $82,264 | $60,430 – $166,430 | 30 |
| Minnesota | $107,660 | +1.3% | $78,771 | $75,070 – $157,060 | 480 |
| New York | $98,390 | +0.9% | $73,283 | $60,780 – $141,810 | 1,330 |
| Colorado | $97,000 | +2.1% | $73,510 | $60,380 – $167,270 | 940 |
| Washington | $96,790 | +0.6% | $76,922 | $71,590 – $183,100 | 630 |
| Idaho | $95,020 | +19.3% | $71,749 | $54,920 – $135,730 | 110 |
| Vermont | $92,320 | +17.8% | $70,144 | $56,390 – $132,840 | 270 |
| New Jersey | $89,590 | +4.9% | $68,340 | $62,500 – $161,580 | 2,260 |
| Massachusetts | $89,450 | −5.6% | $67,506 | $55,540 – $132,740 | 1,030 |
| Wyoming | $88,790 | +2.4% | $71,294 | $66,010 – $126,990 | 70 |
| Rhode Island | $88,750 | — | $68,554 | $38,840 – $124,680 | 40 |
| Missouri | $83,620 | +7.3% | $64,664 | $48,740 – $130,830 | 370 |
| Florida | $83,520 | +13.2% | $67,586 | $45,480 – $162,030 | 2,620 |
| Georgia | $83,470 | +4.0% | $63,842 | $52,000 – $143,670 | 830 |
| Maine | $82,780 | +10.8% | $62,643 | $74,180 – $193,910 | 70 |
| Nevada | $82,370 | +9.1% | $66,777 | $35,410 – $130,010 | 410 |
| Maryland | $81,220 | +9.1% | $62,474 | $42,170 – $148,690 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $81,160 | −10.9% | $61,288 | $50,820 – $107,740 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $80,130 | +16.6% | $62,515 | $40,300 – $137,890 | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $80,090 | −4.9% | $65,173 | $60,010 – $122,460 | 170 |
| California | $79,550 | +1.0% | $60,591 | $47,370 – $165,870 | 7,000 |
| Utah | $79,400 | +18.9% | $62,081 | $44,210 – $140,780 | 370 |
| South Carolina | $79,110 | −2.4% | $60,894 | $47,770 – $133,150 | 440 |
| Texas | $78,500 | +0.6% | $64,055 | $37,890 – $131,060 | 2,880 |
| Oklahoma | $78,420 | +6.4% | $61,015 | $36,380 – $129,260 | 100 |
| Oregon | $78,200 | +8.2% | $57,831 | $49,400 – $136,410 | 930 |
| Connecticut | $78,010 | +1.6% | $60,994 | $62,400 – $129,190 | 130 |
| North Carolina | $77,990 | +7.0% | $61,093 | $47,660 – $136,160 | 1,200 |
| Illinois | $77,310 | +18.2% | $59,536 | $45,450 – $121,720 | 3,260 |
| Wisconsin | $77,140 | −4.7% | $60,390 | $39,990 – $174,980 | 170 |
| Arizona | $76,550 | +25.3% | $60,978 | $42,300 – $149,850 | 880 |
| South Dakota | $76,000 | +4.7% | $62,296 | $56,720 – $107,720 | 160 |
| Virginia | $74,800 | −17.7% | $57,965 | $48,920 – $149,080 | 310 |
| Alaska | $70,700 | −25.6% | $58,567 | $53,430 – $135,210 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $70,530 | +10.3% | $58,448 | $54,490 – $129,120 | 540 |
| Kansas | $69,990 | −26.7% | $54,962 | $49,570 – $118,940 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,990 | −1.2% | $55,246 | $47,730 – $109,400 | 1,220 |
| Iowa | $68,320 | +6.0% | $54,949 | $41,690 – $110,010 | 620 |
| Mississippi | $67,670 | +12.8% | $54,461 | $41,200 – $100,210 | 90 |
| Alabama | $66,540 | −4.0% | $52,579 | $62,190 – $77,720 | 190 |
| Michigan | $65,890 | +9.4% | $52,573 | $40,970 – $111,480 | 1,670 |
| Nebraska | $63,270 | −5.6% | $51,018 | $41,970 – $105,470 | 310 |
| Indiana | $62,760 | +2.0% | $50,786 | $40,900 – $112,640 | 340 |
| Louisiana | $62,390 | +26.7% | $50,825 | $45,230 – $101,660 | 90 |
| Ohio | $58,440 | +1.1% | $48,312 | $39,760 – $98,250 | 1,280 |
| Arkansas | $49,640 | −18.1% | $40,343 | $35,010 – $91,070 | 230 |
| West Virginia | $47,310 | +11.1% | $38,792 | $38,940 – $71,180 | 100 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambling Manager | $93,220 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Funeral Home Manager | $78,790 | Associate's degree | +4.1% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $80,390 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $69,990 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $69,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.2% |
| Food Service Manager | $69,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Lodging Manager | $69,250 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.8% |
| Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | $89,900 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.4% |
| Emergency Management Director | $93,330 | Bachelor's degree | +3.9% |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $95,200 | Bachelor's degree | +1.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling make?
The national median salary for entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling is $79,520 a year ($38.23 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,270 and the top 10% earn over $139,110. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $113,930. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling are there in the U.S.?
About 37,980 people work as entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling nationwide.