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Community Recreation Co-ordinator, Program Leader, Recreation Guide
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Recreation co-ordinators plan, organize, and supervise recreational programs to meet community needs. They assess program success and advise groups and organizations on how to make the most of programs. They take part in many aspects of recreation, including:
In general, recreation co-ordinators:
Recreation co-ordinators often work from an office. At times they work weekends and evenings at meetings or events. They may need to travel, such as if they oversee programs in multiple locations.
Setting up recreational activities sometimes requires lifting heavy items.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in consulting to provide recreational and sports information to community groups and the media; may instruct in recreational and sports activities
Interest in co-ordinating the activities of leaders and instructors to implement training programs and workshops; and in recruiting volunteer and paid program leaders and instructors
Interest in developing sports, fitness and recreational programs for leaders and instructors
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Recreation co-ordinators need:
They should enjoy consulting with people, directing and co-ordinating activities, and developing innovative programs.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 24 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 28, 2022 and Oct 01, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Co-ordinate special events | 15 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Perform administrative tasks | 14 |
| Tasks: Provide expert advice and consulting services in the design, development and administration of sports, fitness and recreation programs and activities | 13 |
| Tasks: Supervise professional staff, program leaders and instructors and volunteer staff | 13 |
| Tasks: Write proposals and press statements for corporations, industry and the fitness community | 12 |
| Tasks: Prepare research papers, educational texts or articles | 12 |
| Tasks: Conduct research and develop government policies related to recreation, sports, fitness and athletic safety and standards | 8 |
| Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years | 8 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 5 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 5 |
Recreation co-ordinators must have a university degree or college diploma in a related discipline. This could include recreation, physical education, or management. Employers prefer applicants with a recreation-related university degree or experience in the recreation field. Some positions require candidates to understand community development principles and organize community-wide festivals and special events.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Recreation co-ordinators work for:
Work in smaller centres may offer a broader range of experiences. Larger centres tend to be more diverse and offer the option to specialize.
Experienced co-ordinators may move into consulting or administrative positions. For more information, see the Recreation and Sport Administrator occupational profile.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2016 NOC: 4167
84.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for recreation co-ordinators vary. Factors include location, responsibilities of the position, and the co-ordinator’s qualifications.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.00 | $40.05 | $26.98 | $23.13 |
| Overall | $17.50 | $53.55 | $32.26 | $28.57 |
| Top | $20.00 | $53.55 | $34.45 | $32.97 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $58,132 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $35,858 |
| Educational Services | $48,138 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $60,901 |
| Public Administration | $79,593 |
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
