Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Minnesota MN | $123,780 | $59.51/hr | $106,891 | 320 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 115.8 |
| #2 | Washington WA | $100,880 | $48.50/hr | $80,510 | 470 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 125.3 |
| #3 | Vermont VT | $99,170 | $47.68/hr | $68,111 | 60 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 145.6 |
| #4 | Idaho ID | $98,740 | $47.47/hr | $81,401 | 40 | Boise City, ID | 121.3 |
| #5 | Colorado CO | $97,130 | $46.70/hr | $76,180 | 630 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 127.5 |
| #6 | District of Columbia DC | $94,220 | $45.30/hr | $59,295 | 550 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #7 | Montana MT | $94,030 | $45.21/hr | $68,735 | 40 | Bozeman, MT | 136.8 |
| #8 | Oklahoma OK | $93,220 | $44.82/hr | $92,664 | 40 | Oklahoma City, OK | 100.6 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, & career ladder progression for Entertainment & Recreation Managers, Except. Official 2026 economic data for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling is $79,520 per year ($38.23/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 159 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $57,890 in Columbus, OH to $123,780 in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $123,780 | +55.7% |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $120,410 | +51.4% |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $116,000 | +45.9% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $106,830 | +34.3% |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $105,500 | +32.7% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $100,500 | +26.4% |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $99,770 | +25.5% |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $99,640 | +25.3% |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $99,170 | +24.7% |
| Boise City, ID | $98,740 | +24.2% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $98,560 | +23.9% |
| Salinas, CA | $98,550 | +23.9% |