Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Recreation Workers:
75.4%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
High
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
High
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
High
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Most data sources align, with only minor variation. This is a well-supported result.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forRecreation Workers
$35,380 median salary•68,100 annual openings•SOC Code: 39-9032.00
Recreation Workers are more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
Recreation workers earn the "Resilient" label because the heart of this job, leading activities, building connections, supervising safety, and keeping people engaged, is deeply human work that AI simply cannot replicate. Hands-on, in-person roles like camp counseling and recreation leadership are among the least likely to be disrupted by AI, since they require empathy, physical presence, and real-time judgment in ways that current technology cannot match.
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Recreation workers earn the "Resilient" label because the heart of this job, leading activities, building connections, supervising safety, and keeping people engaged, is deeply human work that AI simply cannot replicate. Hands-on, in-person roles like camp counseling and recreation leadership are among the least likely to be disrupted by AI, since they require empathy, physical presence, and real-time judgment in ways that current technology cannot match.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Recreation Workers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Recreation Workers jobs?
The good news: most of what recreation workers do—leading games, supervising staff, organizing crafts, administering first aid—is exactly the kind of hands-on, in-person work that AI struggles to replicate. Brookings notes that generative AI is not likely to disrupt physical, routine, blue collar work much at all, barring technological breakthroughs in robotics, which fits this career well [1]. Where AI is showing up, it's mostly augmenting workers rather than replacing them.
At BillyBird family parks in the Netherlands, an AI chatbot started 7,014 customer conversations in one summer and only 8% had to be escalated to human staff [2], saving about 109 hours—but the company stresses AI "lacks the empathy and flexibility that human judgment brings." For aquatic safety, Roaring Springs Waterpark uses 57 AI-powered cameras to spot drowning and other incidents, but emphasizes the system "has not replaced lifeguards"—it adds a second layer of monitoring [2]. Park departments are also using generative AI for community design visualizations and data-driven planning, helping leaders engage residents in more meaningful ways [3].
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Recreation Workers?
Adoption will likely be slow and uneven. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics still projects 4% job growth and about 68,100 openings per year for recreation workers through 2034 [4], reflecting strong human demand. Median pay is modest (~$35,380), so the cost savings from automating a camp counselor or rec leader are small compared to enterprise AI investment.
The World Economic Forum reports that AI and information processing is one of the top technologies reshaping work [5], but the declining roles are mostly clerical—not service jobs requiring face-to-face interaction. Expect AI to handle scheduling, registrations, marketing content, and safety monitoring, while the human heart of the job—building connection, keeping people safe, and making activities fun—stays with you.
Sources
Will AI replace Recreation Workers?
No. We don't think AI will replace Recreation Workers, but we do expect it to take over some of the behind-the-scenes tasks.
Recreation work is built on in-person connection: leading games, running programs, keeping people safe, and making activities genuinely fun. That kind of hands-on, human-centered work is exactly what AI struggles with most. Brookings notes that generative AI is unlikely to disrupt physical, in-person service work much at all, barring major breakthroughs in robotics [1]. Our own analysis puts this career at a 75.4% AI Resilience Score, which is stronger than most occupations.
Where AI is showing up, it is helping rather than replacing. Parks are using AI cameras to add a second layer of safety monitoring without removing lifeguards [2]. AI chatbots are handling routine customer questions so staff can focus on people [2]. Planning tools are helping departments visualize community spaces and gather input more effectively [3]. Scheduling, registrations, and marketing content are the tasks most likely to shift to AI.
The job market also supports this picture. The BLS projects about 68,100 openings per year through 2034 [4]. Demand is real, steady, and driven by something AI cannot replicate: people want to connect with other people.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Recreation Workers
These articles highlight the evolving landscape for recreation workers amid AI advancements. The "AI for Recreation Professionals" webinar emphasizes how AI can enhance service delivery, making roles more efficient rather than obsolete. Additionally, "Will AI Replace Sports & Recreation Jobs?" provides insights on the specific jobs at risk but also outlines strategies to adapt. Embracing AI skills, as seen in Singapore’s upskilling initiative, can empower recreation workers to remain relevant and thrive in a technology-driven environment, ensuring a resilient career path.
Webinar: AI for Recreation Professionals
www.youtube.com • 6/20/2026
Will AI Replace Sports & Recreation Jobs?
jobzonerisk.com • 6/20/2026
Discover which sports & recreation jobs are most at risk from AI. See scores, evidence, and practical recommendations for every assessed role.
Senior Full-Stack Engineer - AI-Driven Recreation Platform
bebee.com • 6/20/2026
Jun 8, 2026 — We're partnering with parks and rec departments, golf courses, campgrounds, gyms, and more to transform a $105B industry stuck in the Stone Age. Read more
AI Pushing Students to Consider Changing Majors
poetsandquantsforundergrads.com • 4/6/2026
Nearly half of college students have considered changing their major over concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the job...
Singapore's new AI-upskilling push seen as shield against job displacement amid global layoffs
www.businesstimes.com.sg • 3/6/2026
The National AI Impact Programme seeks to train 100000 workers to be 'fluent' in applying artificial intelligence skills in their jobs Read...
More Career Info
Career: Recreation Workers
They plan and lead fun activities and programs for people of all ages to enjoy, helping them stay active and entertained.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$35,380
Jobs (2024)
327,700
Growth (2024-34)
+4.1%
Annual Openings
68,100
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Take residents on community outings.
2
Administer first aid according to prescribed procedures and notify emergency medical personnel when necessary.
3
Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities, such as arts, crafts, sports, games, camping, and hobbies.
4
Schedule maintenance and use of facilities.
5
Greet new arrivals to activities, introducing them to other participants, explaining facility rules, and encouraging participation.
6
Meet with staff to discuss rules, regulations, and work-related problems.
7
Enforce rules and regulations of recreational facilities to maintain discipline and ensure safety.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
