Arts, Entertainment & Recreation

Career Ladder

Learn About The Arts, Entertainment &
Recreation Career Path

Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Career Ladder!

Each career level contains information about wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.

To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE
Varies

Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program & Service Directors

$36.22

Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program Supervisors

$35.99

Coaches

$23.65

Program Leaders & Instructors in Recreation, Sport & Fitness

$19.05

Operators & Attendants in Amusement, Recreation & Sport

$17.46

*median hourly wage as of October 1, 2024

Operators & Attendants in Amusement, Recreation & Sport

Hourly
Wages

Low
$17.20

Median
$17.46

High
$21.16

operators-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Drive trucks, vans and other vehicles to transport amusement rides, games and other attractions to amusement attraction sites
  • Collect tickets and fees, and rent or sell sports and accessory equipment or sell tickets
  • Schedule the use of recreational facilities and set up rides, game concessions and other amusement attractions
  • Operate recreational facility equipment, rides and other attractions safely
  • Clean and maintain recreational facilities and grounds

Skills

Customer Service
Communication Skills
Organizational Skills
Sales First Aid

Job Title Examples

Campground Worker
Golf Course Attendant
Park Attendant
Park Receptionist

Education & Training

Some secondary school may be required.

On-the-job training is usually provided.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Academic Upgrading

Post-Secondary Education

CERTIFICATION COURSES

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Program Leaders & Instructors in Recreation, Sport & Fitness

Hourly
Wages

Low
$17.20

Median
$19.05

High
$30.00

leaders-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Plan, demonstrate or instruct various recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
  • Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
  • Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities and enforce safety rules and regulations
  • Provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
  • Attend to group arrivals and departures
  • Assist clients with special needs, provide lifestyle awareness information or conduct therapeutic recreational activities
  • May train and supervise staff

Skills

First Aid Leadership
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Management

Job Title Examples

Camp Counsellor
Lifeguard
Outdoor Educator
Personal Trainer
Sports Instructor

Education & Training

Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.

Completion of secondary school education is usually required.

Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education is usually required.

Certification and/or experience is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as, a ski instructor or personal trainer, fitness instructor specialist, or in first aid or emergency care.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Academic Upgrading

Post-Secondary Education

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Coaches

Hourly
Wages

Low
$18.39

Median
$23.65

High
$42.56

coaches-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions
  • Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes and teams
  • Motivate, nurture and prepare athletes or teams to develop skills and abilities needed for competitive events
  • Formulate competitive strategies, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events
  • Analyze athletes’ or teams’ performances and modify training programs
  • Identify, evaluate and recruit future athletes for professional sports teams

Skills

Communication Skills
First Aid Planning
Organizational Skills
Leading & Motivating

Job Title Examples

Gymnastics Coach
Head Coach
Hockey Scout
Sports Coach
Baseball Coach

Education & Training

Experience in and technical knowledge of the sport is required.

Completion of the National Coaching Certificate Program (NCCP) is usually required.

A post-secondary degree in physical education may be required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

CERTIFICATION EXAMPLES

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program Supervisors

Hourly
Wages

Low
$25.33

Median
$35.99

High
$49.54

supervisors-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Develop, plan and coordinate sports, fitness and recreation programs and sporting events
  • Supervise program leaders and volunteers, oversee training and set work schedules
  • Collaborate with community partners to research existing programs, resources and best practices
  • Promote and advise community groups, corporations, schools and other organizations about recreation, sports and fitness program and activities
  • Resolve customer complaints
  • Provide expert advice and consulting services on the administration of sports programs or recreation policy

Skills

Planning Management
Coordinating
Leadership
Customer Service

Job Title Examples

Aquatic Supervisor
Camp Coordinator
Fitness Coordinator
Recreation Supervisor

Education & Training

A university degree in recreation, or sports administration, physical education, kinesiology or related discipline or a college diploma in a recreation, sports and fitness program is required.

Several years of experience in a related field as a program leader or instructor in recreation, sports and fitness is required.

Certification in program specialization, such as fitness or lifesaving, may be required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ONTARIO BACHELOR IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR BUSINESS

ONTARIO BACHELOR OF KINESIOLOGY

CERTIFICATION EXAMPLES

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program & Service Directors

Hourly
Wages

Low
$25.47

Median
$36.22

High
$49.77

directors-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Establish objectives, direct and control the operations of recreation, sports and fitness programs and services
  • Prepare budgets, monitor revenues and expenses and develop policies and procedures to implement programs
  • Provide technical and professional advice on recreation, sports and fitness matters
  • Recruit program leaders and coaches and direct managers and supervisors or other executive staff
  • Develop long range plans and negotiate business contracts with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies
  • Lead and manage fundraising drives and arrange for sponsorships from public and private organizations

Skills

Operations
Customer Service
Leadership
Management Sales

Job Title Examples

Fitness Club Manager
Leisure Programs Manager
Recreation Manager
Recreation and Sports Director

Education & Training

A university degree in recreology, physical education or sports administration or a college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required.

Several years of experience as a supervisor or coordinator within the recreation, sports and fitness industry is usually required.

A coaching certification in a particular sport or a Municipal Recreation Director’s Certificate may be required.

SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE

ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ONTARIO BACHELOR IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR BUSINESS

ONTARIO BACHELOR OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY

CERTIFICATION EXAMPLE

OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Approximately 1,450 new businesses are launched annually in the WDB region.

entrepreneurs-arts-phone

Main Job Duties

  • Create and manage a business plan, including ongoing research and planning, and time management
  • Secure funding, maintain business bank accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
  • Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
  • Respond to customer service inquiries, including answer phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business
  • Recruit and manage employees

Skills

Work Independently
Customer Service
Organization
Time Management
Accounting

Job Title Examples

Small Business Owner
Franchisee

Education & Training

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies
FLEMING COLLEGE
Continuing Education
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Continuing Education
rto8-logo-vector2

We would like to acknowledge the support made by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Regional Tourism Organization 8 for this project.

Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)

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