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Recreation Attendants


At a Glance

  • Work at amusement parks, golf courses, beaches, and ski areas
  • Spend most of their time helping customers
  • Often wear a uniform
  • May work evenings, weekends, or holidays
  • Train on the job

Career summary

Recreation attendants keep things running smoothly at places where people go to have fun.

#No alternate titles CJ

Recreation attendants work at:

Recreation attendants collect money or fees and give change to customers. They provide information about the recreation facility and the services provided. They schedule special events, such as tennis matches or swim meets.

Some recreation attendants rent or lend equipment to customers. They may also explain how the equipment is used. They make sure equipment is in good working order and keep track of who has borrowed it.

Some recreation attendants keep locker rooms clean. They may also sell food, drinks, or gifts.

Some recreation attendants work with horses and other animals. They feed, groom, and saddle horses so that people can ride them.

Other recreation attendants work at lakes, beaches, and places where people rent boats, canoes, or rafts. They keep track of when boats are borrowed and when they are due back. They also make sure people use life jackets and other safety equipment.

Recreation attendants who work at amusement parks perform many tasks. They may sell tickets to customers, lead tours, and answer questions about activities and attractions. Other attendants operate rides. They also keep the rides clean and inspect each ride to make sure that it is operating correctly and safely.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to recreation attendants.

Common work activities

Recreation attendants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, recreation attendants:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Recreation attendants frequently:

It is important for recreation attendants to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for recreation attendants to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Recreation attendants need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Work with people

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a recreation attendant, you typically need to:

On-the-job training

Almost all recreation attendants learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. During training, you learn:

Training lasts up to one month.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who are pleasant, physically fit, and neat in appearance. They also look for punctual and reliable workers. The ability to work well with the public is very important. Knowledge of a sport, such as golf, tennis, or bowling, may be helpful for some positions. Attendants must be at least 18 years old in jobs where they serve alcoholic beverages. 

High school education is preferred but usually not required. Applicants should have a basic understanding of safety and liability issues. Computer literacy is also important as attendants use automated systems to track orders and print receipts for customers. Some employers also look for applicants who have first aid and CPR training, AED (Automated External Defibrillator) certification, and a clean police record. A criminal background check may be required. Drug testing may also be required.

Tips

Demand for attendants rises during the summer and holidays which offers applicants an opportunity to seek part-time or internship positions. An outgoing personality is an asset.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Amusement and recreation attendants (SOC 39-3091)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $11.69 $11.98 $12.75 $15.28 $18.98
Monthly $2,026 $2,076 $2,210 $2,648 $3,289
Yearly $24,310 $24,920 $26,530 $31,780 $39,470
    Bellingham Hourly $12.00 $12.19 $12.51 $12.89 $13.70
Monthly $2,080 $2,113 $2,168 $2,234 $2,374
Yearly $24,969 $25,360 $26,013 $26,803 $28,478
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $11.99 $12.16 $12.49 $12.94 $14.95
Monthly $2,078 $2,107 $2,165 $2,243 $2,591
Yearly $24,936 $25,287 $25,977 $26,914 $31,099
    Clarkston-Lewiston Hourly $8.12 $8.65 $9.52 $12.51 $17.44
Monthly $1,407 $1,499 $1,650 $2,168 $3,022
Yearly $16,904 $17,983 $19,783 $26,012 $36,277
    Kennewick-Richland Hourly $12.00 $12.19 $12.60 $15.04 $18.90
Monthly $2,080 $2,113 $2,184 $2,606 $3,275
Yearly $24,959 $25,359 $26,214 $31,275 $39,301
    Longview Hourly $11.99 $12.18 $17.28 $19.92 $27.04
Monthly $2,078 $2,111 $2,995 $3,452 $4,686
Yearly $24,946 $25,329 $35,943 $41,436 $56,252
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes Hourly $12.04 $12.30 $12.77 $13.81 $15.76
Monthly $2,087 $2,132 $2,213 $2,393 $2,731
Yearly $25,051 $25,583 $26,565 $28,728 $32,791
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $12.01 $12.25 $12.72 $13.71 $15.43
Monthly $2,081 $2,123 $2,204 $2,376 $2,674
Yearly $24,985 $25,473 $26,457 $28,507 $32,088
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $12.11 $12.47 $13.69 $16.20 $20.12
Monthly $2,099 $2,161 $2,372 $2,807 $3,487
Yearly $25,172 $25,922 $28,469 $33,710 $41,830
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $12.03 $12.26 $12.82 $14.79 $17.44
Monthly $2,085 $2,125 $2,222 $2,563 $3,022
Yearly $25,021 $25,499 $26,663 $30,753 $36,290
    Vancouver Hourly $10.91 $11.50 $12.33 $14.06 $18.00
Monthly $1,891 $1,993 $2,137 $2,437 $3,119
Yearly $22,681 $23,904 $25,653 $29,239 $37,447
    Walla Walla Hourly $11.97 $12.12 $12.55 $14.10 $15.19
Monthly $2,074 $2,100 $2,175 $2,444 $2,632
Yearly $24,905 $25,201 $26,095 $29,329 $31,601
    Wenatchee Hourly $11.98 $12.17 $12.85 $15.35 $18.77
Monthly $2,076 $2,109 $2,227 $2,660 $3,253
Yearly $24,933 $25,312 $26,728 $31,929 $39,055
    Yakima Hourly $11.99 $12.17 $12.57 $15.51 $18.72
Monthly $2,078 $2,109 $2,178 $2,688 $3,244
Yearly $24,940 $25,301 $26,146 $32,263 $38,937
United States Hourly $8.45 $9.24 $10.70 $12.19 $14.95
Monthly $1,464 $1,601 $1,854 $2,113 $2,591
Yearly $17,570 $19,230 $22,260 $25,350 $31,100

The amount of pay depends on the worker's responsibilities and the size of the facility. The area of the country may also affect wages.

Recreation attendants who work full time may receive benefits. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. They may also receive free admission and discounts on food and merchandise. Employers usually provide uniforms if they are needed.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Amusement and Recreation Attendants (SOC 39-3091)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 5,902 17.5% 16.1% 1,658
    Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties 206 17.5% 13.4% 57
    Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties 101 7.9% 8.6% 25
    Benton and Franklin Counties 172 19.8% 15.0% 49
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 111 14.4% 11.9% 29
    Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties 380 16.8% 15.2% 105
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 253 36.0% 14.1% 88
    Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 260 12.3% 14.6% 68
    King County 2,936 16.3% 19.6% 812
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 104 12.5% 13.8% 27
    Pierce County 540 19.8% 15.2% 155
    Snohomish County 424 19.1% 12.4% 121
    Spokane County 365 16.7% 13.9% 102
United States 338,600 7.6% 5.2% 83,500

National employment

Major employers:

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. Retiring baby boomers are expected to have more money and time to spend on leisure activities. In addition, the growing interest in physical fitness and travel will increase demand for recreation services. Jobs will also be created by the growing popularity of theme parks and cruise ships.

Recreation attendant jobs may be seasonal. Students fill many of these jobs during the summer. Hours can be long and pay is generally low. Many job openings occur as people leave the occupation to find better paying jobs.

Other resources

National Recreation and Park Association (external link)
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
800.626.6772
703.858.0784
Washington Recreation and Park Association (external link)
2150 North 107th Street, Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98133
888.459.0009
206.367.8777

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem