The 10,000+ local park and recreation agencies in the United States employ more than 160,000 full-time staff and hundreds of thousands more part-time and seasonal workers. These professionals have a ripple effect for positive change throughout their community. Park and recreation professionals serve as mentors, advocates, teachers, coaches and more. From out-of-school time programming for children to activities and enrichment opportunities for older adults, all communities are made stronger by their local parks and recreation.

Comprehensive compensation data provides park and recreation agency leaders with guidance on how to attract the best candidates for their staff. Such data also can provide park and recreation professionals with insights into salary and benefits offered by potential employers. To amass that data, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) research team sent a 43-question survey in April 2024 to elicit the salary data of 13 positions at park and recreation agencies and general information about benefits and salary policies. The responses from leaders of more than 600 park and recreation agencies across the United States are the basis of this report.

The 2024 NRPA Park and Recreation Salary Survey report features detailed base salary and bonus data for 13 typical park and recreation agency positions:

  • Park and Recreation Agency Director (or Executive Director or Superintendent)
  • Planning Director (or Superintendent)
  • Director of Finance (or Administrative Director or Business Manager)
  • Recreation Director (or Recreation Superintendent or Assistant Director — Recreation)
  • Park Operations Director (or Maintenance Director or Maintenance Superintendent)
  • Park Operations (or Maintenance Foreman)
  • Facilities Manager
  • Athletics Supervisor (or Athletics Manager)
  • Aquatics Supervisor (or Aquatics Manager)
  • Recreation Programs Coordinator (or Recreations Programs Manager)
  • Marketing and Communications Director (or Manager)
  • Fitness Center Manager
  • Administrative Assistant

Summarized Salary Survey Report

2024 Salary Survey

 

 

 

Salary Survey Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Report, Resources, and Discussion

NRPA Connect: Park and Recreation Salary Survey Community

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