Strong Interest Inventory | Recreational Attendants Salary

Thousands of job seekers worldwide have benefited from the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) and its related assessments. This comprehensive interest inventory assessment analyzes job seekers’ preferences in many different areas, including subject matter, workplace environment, independence, and more. Once the assessment is complete, the SII guides individuals towards one or more of six categories of careers whose professionals share their preferences. For example, someone whose answers are similar to those of professionals in Enterprising careers will be guided towards the Enterprising career category. Enterprising careers are characterized by negotiating, motivating, and influencing others. They often involve customer service or sales and typically attract energetic, social, and confident individuals with strong leadership skills. Amusement and Recreational Attendants fall into this category.

Strong Interest Inventory® Enterprising Theme Code Amusement and Recreational Attendants

Find information about an Amusement and Recreational Attendant career, including salary, daily tasks, and other career information.

Amusement and Recreational Attendants are responsible for a broad range of duties at recreational facilities, including but not limited to scheduling, maintaining and operating equipment, and interfacing with guests. Rollercoaster attendants, golf course rangers, and ski lift operators are all examples of Amusement and Recreational Attendants. While the specific responsibilities and areas of expertise may vary widely—it should be evident that a rock climbing guide in Colorado has very different responsibilities and areas of expertise than a surfboard renter in California—there are some commonalities. For example, Amusement and Recreational Attendants typically will need to sell tickets or rentals and collect fees from customers, as well as provide customers with information about their facilities, including the various available entertainment options and associated rules, regulations, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. They will then direct patrons to the rides, seats, or attractions to be enjoyed as well as monitor patrons’ activities to ensure they are safe during their entertainment experience. Amusement and Recreational Attendants may need to answer questions or provide other kinds of assistance to guests on a case-by-case basis.

When they are not directly serving guests, Amusement and Recreational Attendants may be responsible for maintaining records (e.g., sales, attendance, receipts, reservations, and inventories), placing repair or maintenance orders (e.g., for assembling or disassembling equipment, repairing damaged equipment), cleaning equipment (e.g., boats, skis, rides, and sports equipment), inspecting equipment for wear (e.g., squeaky wheels or joints). Those who facilitate events, such as birthday parties, dinners, or corporate retreats, may also need to schedule facility use or other concessions associated with the event, including food, entertainment, and other amenities.

The tools and technologies used by Amusement and Recreational Attendants vary widely depending on the specific responsibilities of that role. However, most professionals would benefit from familiarity with office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail systems, web browsers, calendars, and scheduling software) and frequently used hardware such as smartphones and computers. For this career, strong communication and active listening skills are more critical than technical familiarity, especially because interfacing with customers is a significant part of the job. As such, Amusement and Recreational Attendants must be able to communicate clearly in written and spoken English and other relevant languages (e.g., Spanish is particularly useful in states like California, Texas, and Florida). Furthermore, they must be able to follow directions and encourage others to do the same, especially if they are operating dangerous equipment such as rollercoasters.

Most Amusement and Recreational Attendants have a high school diploma or less. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 64% have completed some high school but do not hold a diploma, while 32% have a high school diploma. Instead, these professionals learn their jobs in a few days or months of vocational training, typically under the guidance of an experienced employee.

The median salary for Amusement and Recreational Attendants in the United States is $11.90 per hour, which comes to $24,760 per year. While there is some variation in different parts of the country, for instance, Florida and Ohio have median salaries closer to $20,000 annually while California’s is nearly $30,000, this variation is likely due to the cost of living and local minimum wage legislation. The median salary of the top 10% of earners, even in highly-paid states like California, is still under $40,00 annually. That said, employment rates are very high, with nearly 265,000 employees across the United States, and are expected to grow rapidly. Projections estimate a growth rate of 15% within the coming ten-year period.

Below are some employment trends for Amusement and Recreational Attendants: