Highest Paying Jobs in Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation

Are you on a hunt to find the Highest Paying Jobs in Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation? then your search is over. There are various jobs available such as park rangers, personal trainers, and casino dealers. If you choose a well-paying career in recreation, it can offer you a comfortable lifestyle. In this article, we will cover high-paying jobs in recreation and amusement industry. We will discuss their average salaries, main responsibilities, and more. Let’s get started!

What is Amusement & Recreation?

Recreation and amusement are places or events where you can have fun, both indoors and outdoors. This includes amusement parks, carnivals, circuses, mini-golf, go-kart tracks, paintball courses, and more. These places offer activities like bowling, roller skating, and batting cages for entertainment.

When exploring the highest paying jobs in Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation, it’s important to understand the wide range of job roles available within this industry. To better understand the various career paths and job opportunities, check out our detailed article on How Many Jobs Are Available In Services-Misc Amusement & Recreation.

List of Some of the Top Highest Paying Jobs in Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation

Recreation workers earn an average salary of $28,440 annually. If you are looking to increase your income, you can explore well-paying jobs in this field. Here are 15 high-paying jobs related to recreation and amusement industry.

1. Athletic director

As an athletic director, you are in charge of sports programs at schools or in communities. Your job is to make sure people can play sports safely and have fun. You will hire good coaches, plan events like games and tournaments. You will keep everyone safe during activities.

• Salary per annum: $88,420
• Degree required: Master’s degree in sports administration or related field, often combined with experience in coaching or athletics
• Who is hiring: Schools (elementary, middle, high school, college), athletic organizations, sports clubs
• Best way to get the job: Earn relevant degrees and certifications, gain experience through coaching or athletic administration roles, and develop strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills

2. Marketing director

As a marketing director in the recreation industry, you lead advertising campaigns for organizations such as sports teams and hotels. Your job is to market the best features of your organization to attract the right customers. 

Whether it is getting fans to attend games or booking hotel stays, you make sure your team creates exciting content. It follows the latest trends in the industry. Also, you analyze campaign data to make smart adjustments and get the most out of your marketing budget.

• Salary per annum: $81,340
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or related field
• Who is hiring: Companies of all sizes across various industries, marketing agencies, advertising firms
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree and gain experience through internships or entry-level marketing positions, develop strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, build a portfolio showcasing your marketing projects, network with marketing professionals

3. Sports Centre Manager 

You will be the manager of a sports center. You will take care of everything in the gym or sports facility. Your main job is to make sure that everyone who comes in stays safe and has a good time. This could mean overseeing the entire facility. It includes the recreation areas, or focusing on specific sports areas like a basketball court.

• Salary per annum: $68,420
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, recreation management, or related field (may not be required for all positions)
• Who is hiring: Fitness centers, sports complexes, community centers, YMCA/YWCA facilities
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree or experience, develop strong leadership, customer service, and operational management skills, and network with sports center management professionals

4. Aquatics Manager 

You will be running a recreational aquatic center. It could be a pool or water park. Your main tasks will be hiring and supervising lifeguards and instructors, as well as planning activities at the center. You will also need to make sure everything stays clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.

• Salary per annum: $62,840
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, aquatics management, or related field (may not be required for all positions)
• Who is hiring: Public pools, water parks, aquatic centers, YMCA/YWCA facilities
• Best way to get the job: Earn a relevant degree or experience, obtain lifeguard and CPR certifications, and develop strong leadership, safety, and operational management skills

5. Recreation Manager 

You will manage recreation and community centers. You will handle both indoor and outdoor activities. Your tasks will include managing budgets and organizing fundraising events to attract visitors. Your main goal is to engage people of all ages in the community. You will arrange fun events like field days, outdoor movies, and seasonal activities.

• Salary per annum: $61,140
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in recreation management, parks and recreation, or related field (may not be required for all positions)
• Who is hiring: Parks and recreation departments, community centers, YMCA/YWCA facilities, resorts, summer camps
• Best way to get the job: Earn relevant degree or experience, develop strong leadership, communication, programming, and budgeting skills, network with recreation professionals, and consider obtaining certifications in specific areas (e.g., aquatics, sports management)

6. Park manager

As a park manager, you take care of public parks and monuments. You make sure visitors stay safe and follow the rules. Your main job is to protect artifacts and coordinate efforts to prevent fires. 

You also lead environmental programs and assign tasks to park rangers. Along with tasks like maintaining trails and giving tours, you play an important role in promoting guest safety and maintaining state and federal laws.

• Salary per annum: $58,960
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation management, natural resources, or related field (may not be required for all positions)
• Who is hiring: Local government agencies, national park service, private park and recreation companies
• Best way to get the job: Earn relevant degree or experience, develop strong leadership, budgeting, and operational management skills, gain experience through internships or entry-level positions in park management, network with park professionals

7. Boat captain

As a boat captain, your main job is to lead a ship and manage the crew. You might work for companies offering tours on lakes. Your responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety by making everyone follow the rules and checking the vessel regularly. 

You will also help passengers get on board and coordinate any needed repairs. Using either manual or computer controls, you will move the ship during its journeys.

• Salary per annum: $57,547
• Degree required: Varies depending on boat size and operation (may require specific licenses and certifications)
• Who is hiring: Private boat owners, charter companies, fishing and tour boat operators, marinas
• Best way to get the job: Obtain necessary licenses and certifications (e.g., US Coast Guard Captain’s license), gain experience through entry-level deckhand positions, develop strong navigation, safety, and customer service skills

8. Casino dealer

As a casino dealer, your main job is to manage card games and slot machines at the casino. You will collect bets, pay out winnings, and assist players with using the machines. 

Your role also involves keeping an eye out for cheating and report any issues to security. Also, you will handle conflicts between guests, explain game rules to newcomers, and fix any machine problems that arise.

• Salary per annum: $49,893
• Degree required: No formal degree is required, but training programs or certifications may be beneficial
• Who is hiring: Casinos, gambling establishments
• Best way to get the job: Complete casino dealer training program, obtain gaming license (if required), demonstrate strong math skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to handle pressure

9. Recreation therapist

As a recreation therapist, your job is to organize activities that help people feel better both physically and emotionally. For example, you might plan an arts and crafts session for kids in the hospital. 

You will also focus on sports, games, music, drama, and even animal therapy. Your duties include working with psychologists, setting goals for patients, and leading group therapy sessions.

• Salary per annum: $48,546
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy or related field, and state licensure
• Who is hiring: Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, community centers, schools
• Best way to get the job: Earn a required degree and complete an internship, pass the national certification exam, develop strong communication, interpersonal, and therapeutic skills, network with healthcare professionals

10. Naturalist

As a naturalist, you are responsible for teaching people about nature in parks or nature-focused groups. You will study natural habitats, and protect ecosystems. You will lead tours or presentations to help people understand why it is important to take care of nature.

• Salary per annum: $48,210
• Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, or related field
• Who is hiring: National parks, wildlife refuges, environmental education centers, research institutions
• Best way to get the job: Earn your degree, gain field experience through internships or volunteer work, develop a strong knowledge of natural history and ecology, network with environmental professionals

11. Groundskeeper

As a groundskeeper, your job is to keep the outdoor areas of an organization neat. You will do things like mowing the grass, trimming branches, and getting rid of weeds. 

Planting flowers and spreading fertilizers are also part of your duties to make the place look nice. You will also make sure the plants get enough water, clean the roof gutters, and take care of the equipment like lawnmowers and tractors.

• Salary per annum: $46,362
• Degree required: No formal degree is required, but relevant experience or training is preferred
• Who is hiring: Landscaping companies, golf courses, parks and recreation departments, private estates
• Best way to get the job: Apply directly to the desired location, demonstrate strong physical fitness and ability to work outdoors, be comfortable using landscaping equipment

12. Pool technician

As a pool technician, you are responsible for taking care of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. You might work for places like hotels or homes with pools. 

Your job involves brushing the pool walls, checking chlorine levels, and teaching pool owners how to maintain their pools properly. You will also inspect equipment like pumps and filters to make sure everything is working well.

• Salary per annum: $40,788
• Degree required: No formal degree required, but certifications are recommended
• Who is hiring: Pool maintenance companies, pool builders, hotels, resorts, homeowners associations
• Best way to get the job: Obtain pool technician certifications, gain experience through entry-level positions or assisting established technicians, develop a strong knowledge of pool maintenance and repair

13. Personal Trainer 

If you are a personal trainer, your job is to help people reach their fitness goals with personalized workout plans. You might meet clients at a gym or even in their home gym. 

During sessions, you will keep them motivated and show them how to do exercises correctly. You will also create diet plans and track their progress to see how they are improving.

• Salary per annum: $38,566
• Degree required: Varies, but certification is required (e.g., National Strength and Conditioning Association)
• Who is hiring: Gyms, fitness centers, health clubs, corporate wellness programs, self-employment
• Best way to get the job: Earn relevant certifications, gain experience through internships or assisting established trainers, develop a strong knowledge of exercise science, fitness programming, and communication skills

14. Exercise Physiologist

If you are an exercise physiologist, your job is to improve a patient’s physical health. In your first meetings, you will check their medical history and assess their fitness levels with tests. 

Then, you will talk about their goals and create a program just for them. During sessions, you will show them how to do exercises, check their vital signs, and adjust the program as they get stronger.

• Salary per annum: $37,998
• Degree required: Master’s degree
• Who is hiring: Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports medicine clinics, corporate wellness programs, fitness centers, research institutions
• Best way to get the job: Earn a master’s degree in exercise physiology or a related field, complete an accredited internship, obtain national certification (e.g., ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist), gain experience through clinical rotations or entry-level positions, network with healthcare professionals and exercise science professionals

15. Spa Attendant

You will make sure spa guests have a cozy and calming experience. Your duties include welcoming and assisting guests and keeping shared spaces tidy. You will also restock supplies like food and towels.

• Salary per annum: $28,420
• Degree required: No formal degree is required, but a high school diploma or equivalent is preferred
• Who is hiring: Spas, salons, resorts, hotels
• Best way to get the job: Apply directly to the desired location, demonstrate strong customer service and interpersonal skills, be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and consider obtaining relevant certifications (e.g., massage therapy)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

If you love fun and excitement then there are plenty of high-paying job options in the amusement and recreation industry. You could manage amusement parks, plan events, or offer recreational activities. 

It is a lively and enjoyable field to work in. It is perfect for you if you are passionate about entertainment and leisure. So make sure to look for a job that interests you. This way you would enjoy your job and have a rewarding career in it.