Park and recreation professionals create welcoming spaces where everyone can thrive. With a career in parks and recreation, you'll build healthy, equitable and environmentally resilient communities — making a measurable difference in people's lives every day. Find your dream job in parks and recreation using the NRPA Career Center.

Parks and recreation welcomes talent from all backgrounds. Whether you're a recent graduate, changing careers or looking to turn your passion into a profession, there's a place for you here. If you are interested in or have background experience with any of the topics below, a career in parks and recreation might be for you!

  • Environmental Science / Forestry / Agriculture / Horticulture
  • Sports Management / Youth Sports Coaching / Adult Education
  • Community Development / Activism / Non-Profit Experience
  • Business Administration and Development / Grant Writing
  • Marketing / Communications / Art
  • Social Work / Counselor / Teacher
  • Facility Management / Operations / Plumbing / Mechanic
  • Technology and Computer Science
  • And many more!

Frontline Positions: These hands-on jobs often center on direct community impact (0-3 years experience).

Example titles:

  • Recreation Program Assistant (working at a summer camp, assisting with festivals and events)
  • Park Maintenance Worker (maintaining the grounds, maintenance for parks facilities)
  • Customer Service Representative (working at a community center)
  • Aquatics Staff (lifeguard, swim lesson assistant)

Middle Management: These are jobs that often oversee a team, and can involve planning and implementation of larger-scale efforts (4-10 years experience).

Example titles:

  • Operations and/or Facilities Manager (directing grounds maintenance, overseeing facility improvements)
  • Recreation Program Coordinator (overseeing sports leagues or adult rec leagues, planning adult education programs, overseeing festivals and events)
  • Marketing or Communications Manager (creating marketing plans, overseeing social media, public relations)
  • Aquatics Coordinator (managing community pools, overseeing and training lifeguards)
  • Community Center Manager (overseeing facility operations, creating programming, collaborating with community organizations)
  • Administrator (human resources, office management, staff development, business development)

Executive Leadership: These jobs are focused on vision for a community, and can involve large projects like strategic planning, policy development, and advocacy with local organizations and elected officials (10+ years experience).

Example titles:

  • Director/Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation (overseeing teams of individuals, creating strategic plans for parks and recreation, advocating with local and elected officials, budget oversight)
  • Parks and/or Recreation Commissioner (leads the team that develops programming opportunities)
  • Director of Finance/Director of Business (oversees the departmental budget, creates new business development opportunities, responsible for fiscally responsible spending)

Job Title

Base Salary as of January 1, 2024
Park and Recreation Agency Director $123,000
Planning Director $106,500
Director of Finance $100,245
Recreation Director $90,000
Park Operations Director $85,000
Park Operations $65,952
Facilities Manager $70,000
Athletics Supervisor $60,347

Aquatics Supervisor

 $64,500
Recreation Program Coordinator $58,000
Marketing and Communications Director $70,000
Fitness Center Manager $60,181
Administrative Assistant $47,840

*These salaries were pulled from the 2024 NRPA Park and Recreation Salary Survey report. View more of the findings here.

Undergraduate and graduate majors include (but are not limited to):

  • Recreation Management
  • Environmental Science
  • Public Administration
  • Sports Management
  • Community Development
  • Urban Planning
  • Public Health
  • Non-Profit Management
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Social Work
  • Public Policy

The Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) recognizes academic programs in colleges and universities that prepare new professionals to enter the parks, recreation, tourism and related professions. Find COAPRT accredited universities and colleges that offer the undergrad or graduate degree you need!

Park and Recreation Stories: Your Story Starts Here

Within these videos the story of parks and recreation is told through the eyes of the people who have dedicated their lives and careers to the field – the profession that brings people together by making life better.

A Choice Career: Parks and Recreation (Coming Soon!)

In partnership with the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, this video explores testimonials from park and recreation professionals across the country sharing why this is a viable, impactful career choice.

Questions? Interested in learning more about how NRPA can support your career goals? Contact us by emailing customerservice@nrpa.org or by phone at 800.626.NRPA (6772).