What Does an Athletic Facilities Attendant Do?
Working a rec center desk can be quiet and, at times, hectic, when a pickup game runs long and a line of students waits to swipe in. Athletic facilities attendants work on their feet and spend a lot of time checking IDs, setting up courts or wiping down machines for students, members and teams. They're often nearest when someone gets hurt, so CPR and first aid training matters.
Also known as: Recreation Facility Attendant
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Activities Attendant, Coaster Attendant, Golf Course Ranger, Golf Course Starter, Recreation Aide, Recreation Attendant, Recreation Clerk, Ride Operator.
Athletic Facilities Attendant Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of an athletic facilities attendant include:
- Check IDs or memberships at the front desk and swipe patrons into the building.
- Set up and take down courts, nets, mats and bleachers for classes and games.
- Walk the weight room, pool deck and courts to enforce rules and spot hazards.
- Wipe down machines, benches and mats and restock sanitizer and towels.
- Rent out equipment such as balls and rackets, and log each return.
- Respond to injuries with first aid and CPR and call emergency services when needed.
- Open and lock up the building on schedule and clear it at closing time.
- Report broken equipment, leaks and lighting problems to the facilities supervisor.
- Answer questions about hours, programs and memberships in person and by phone.
- Fill out incident and daily activity logs before the end of each shift.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as an athletic facilities attendant, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- CPR, AED and first aid certification
- Friendly, firm rule enforcement
- Stamina for setup work and long shifts on your feet
- Membership and check-in software
- Basic equipment cleaning and care
- A calm response to injuries
- Reliability for early, late and weekend shifts
- Teamwork with coaches, trainers and custodians
Education and Training
CPR certification is usually the only requirement on paper, with no formal education expected and training done on the job. Rec centers hire students and other job seekers alike, looking for reliable people who enjoy sports and crowds.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $27,660 - $36,590 per year, with a median of $32,150.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Amusement and Recreation Attendants.
According to BLS, employment of amusement and recreation attendants is projected to grow about 4 percent from 2025 to 2035. That large group, which includes theme park and ski lift staff, expects about 100,400 openings a year, many of them part time or seasonal. Campus and city rec centers often hire before each term, so students who want work near class tend to find a spot.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Amusement and recreation attendants.
Athletic Facilities Attendant Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $22,350 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $27,660 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $32,150 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $36,590 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $42,490 |
Highest-Paying States for Athletic Facilities Attendants
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Alaska ($45,680), Hawaii ($39,920), District of Columbia ($37,960), Washington ($37,790), California ($37,000). Pay is lowest in Mississippi ($23,160), Louisiana ($22,680), Oklahoma ($22,040).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $23,210 |
| Alaska | $45,680 |
| Arizona | $33,570 |
| Arkansas | $26,850 |
| California | $37,000 |
| Colorado | $35,770 |
| Connecticut | $34,860 |
| Delaware | $31,200 |
| District of Columbia | $37,960 |
| Florida | $30,670 |
| Georgia | $26,120 |
| Hawaii | $39,920 |
| Idaho | $30,530 |
| Illinois | $32,770 |
| Indiana | $27,680 |
| Iowa | $27,430 |
| Kansas | $26,410 |
| Kentucky | $27,210 |
| Louisiana | $22,680 |
| Maine | $35,330 |
| Maryland | $36,710 |
| Massachusetts | $34,440 |
| Michigan | $28,580 |
| Minnesota | $30,830 |
| Mississippi | $23,160 |
| Missouri | $29,790 |
| Montana | $29,710 |
| Nebraska | $30,110 |
| Nevada | $29,940 |
| New Hampshire | $31,210 |
| New Jersey | $34,500 |
| New Mexico | $29,160 |
| New York | $36,300 |
| North Carolina | $26,680 |
| North Dakota | $28,070 |
| Ohio | $26,980 |
| Oklahoma | $22,040 |
| Oregon | $35,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,090 |
| Rhode Island | $31,220 |
| South Carolina | $27,040 |
| South Dakota | $29,730 |
| Tennessee | $28,690 |
| Texas | $26,570 |
| Utah | $28,000 |
| Vermont | $35,290 |
| Virginia | $30,910 |
| Washington | $37,790 |
| West Virginia | $25,230 |
| Wisconsin | $30,180 |
| Wyoming | $28,660 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as amusement and recreation attendants about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 80% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 77% spend more than half the workday on their feet
- 66% speak in front of groups at least once a week
- 64% work outdoors in all kinds of weather every day
- 54% deal with rude or angry people at least once a week
- 49% spend more than half the day walking or moving around
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | 64% |
| High school diploma or GED | 32% |
Tools and Software Athletic Facilities Attendants Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as helping, teaching or caring for people.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Speaking, Service Orientation, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Monitoring, Coordination.
Knowledge areas used most: Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Public Safety and Security, Administration and Management, Sales and Marketing.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 1 of 5, which means little or no preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 39-3091.00 (Amusement and Recreation Attendants). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.