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College/University Recreation Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a College/University Recreation Manager make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a College/University Recreation Manager in the United States is $61,440 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a College/University Recreation Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,475
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,180 to $69,310
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,660
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View as table View as graph 25% $53,180 10% $45,660 90% $76,475 75% $69,310 $61,440 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College/University Recreation Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $69,310 $5,776 $1,333 $33
Average $61,440 $5,120 $1,182 $30
25th Percentile $53,180 $4,432 $1,023 $26
Check out College/University Recreation Manager Job Openings in the United States
Afloat Recreation Specialist

Department of the Navy - SAN DIEGO, CA

Supervisory Recreation Specialist

Department of the Navy - KEY WEST, FL

RECREATION SPECIALIST

Department of the Air Force - EIELSON AFB, AK

Supervisory Recreation Specialist

Department of the Navy - NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY, GA

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Key Factors That Influence College/University Recreation Manager Salaries

A College/University Recreation Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College/University Recreation Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College/University Recreation Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College /University Intramural Recreation Coordinator (2-4 years): $46,182
  • College/University Recreation Manager (4-5 years): $61,433
  • Campus Recreation and Wellness Programs Director (5+ years): $68,851
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College /University Intramural Recreation Coordinator2-4 years$46,182
College/University Recreation Manager4-5 years$61,433
Campus Recreation and Wellness Programs Director5+ years$68,851
$46,182 College /...
$61,433 College/U...
$68,851 Campus Re...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College/University Recreation Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $77,490
  • San Francisco: $76,730
  • Oakland: $75,030

What Skills Can Increase a College/University Recreation Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.8% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Physical Education (Mentioned in 2.36% Job Postings): Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.8%
Physical Education 2.36%
Support Services 1.63%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College/University Recreation Manager's salary.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management
 $74,342
21%
Networking
 $69,427
13%
Analysis
 $68,198
11%
Program Management
 $67,584
10%
Diversity and Inclusion
 $66,970
9%
Budgeting
 $66,970
9%
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College/University Recreation Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College/University Recreation Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$53,180
Average $61,440/year
$69,310
$4,432
Average $5,120/month
$5,776
$1,023
Average $1,182/week
$1,333
$26
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,310 $5,776 $1,333 $33
Average $61,440 $5,120 $1,182 $30
25th Percentile $53,180 $4,432 $1,023 $26

College/University Recreation Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

College/University Recreation Manager
Campus Student Activities/Clubs Director
Director of International Students
Campus Recreation and Wellness Programs Director
Vice President of Student Affairs
College/University Student Affairs Officer

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College/University Recreation Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College/University Recreation Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Campus Student Activities/Clubs Director $61,400 0%
Director of International Students $64,100 4%
Campus Recreation and Wellness Programs Director $68,900 12%
Vice President of Student Affairs $149,900 144%

Salaries of jobs related to College/University Recreation Manager

Salary Trends for College/University Recreation Manager

Salaries for a College/University Recreation Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $53,185 in 2023 to around $53,119 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College/University Recreation Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College/University Recreation Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$53,185
2024
$53,763
2025
$53,119
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $53,185
2024 $53,763
2025 $53,119
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College/University Recreation Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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