Wage and salary jobs in arts, entertainment, and recreation are projected to increase about 28 percent over the 2002-12 period, compared with 16 percent for all industries combined. Growing public participation in arts, entertainment, and recreation activities-reflecting increasing incomes, leisure time, and awareness of the health benefits of physical fitness-will provide a large market for establishments providing arts, entertainment, and recreational services.

Changing demographics of the Nation also will have a major impact on industry employment. For example, arts, entertainment, and recreation facilities are expected to increasingly target the growing elderly population. Consequently, employment opportunities may be better in those establishments, such as cruise ships and golf courses, that serve active adults between 50 and 75 years old. Continued growth in hospital and hotel fitness centers and instructional exercise programs, especially those designed and marketed for retirees, also should lead to more job openings. Growth also is expected in those arts, entertainment, and recreation facilities, such as health spas and fitness centers, that cater to younger adults in their twenties and thirties with steadily rising incomes.

In addition to these increases, employment in the performing arts will grow steadily, along with demand for entertainment from a growing population. However, the supply of workers in this segment also will expand because of the appeal of these jobs, ensuring continued intense competition. Additionally, amusement and theme parks should experience rapid growth and offer many seasonal and part-time job opportunities.

The arts, entertainment, and recreation industry has relied heavily on workers under the age of 25 to fill seasonal and unskilled positions. Although the pool of these workers will grow in coming years, opportunities should be good for young, seasonal, part-time, and unskilled workers. In addition, the industry is expected to hire a growing number of workers in other age groups.