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The differences between activities aides and activities leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an activities aide and an activities leader. Additionally, an activities leader has an average salary of $30,329, which is higher than the $27,892 average annual salary of an activities aide.
The top three skills for an activities aide include patients, rehabilitation and PET. The most important skills for an activities leader are CPR, direct supervision, and homework assistance.
| Activities Aide | Activities Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $27,892 | $30,329 |
| Hourly rate | $13.41 | $14.58 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,842 | 35,544 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An activity aide is responsible for facilitating recreation activities under the supervision of a recreation leader within nursing homes or other related institutions. Activity aides ensure the adequacy of resources and supplies according to the activity's instructions and budget limitations. They also reiterate the safety protocols and guidelines to the participants, as well as conducting inspections of the facilities to prevent potential hazards. An activity aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports and escalating concerns for immediate resolution.
An activity leader's main duty is to offer sports programs and exercises that are riveting in a positive manner. The activities typically assigned to leaders are the ones they understand for the smooth promotion and planning of events. Usually, hotel resorts and summer camps seasonally employ activity leaders to make time for different exercises throughout the year. Working as an activities leader can also be viewed as a way to practically enhance a person's teaching or coaching skills, leadership and communication skills, and marketing skills when it comes to publicizing upcoming events.
Activities aides and activities leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Aide | Activities Leader | |
| Average salary | $27,892 | $30,329 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $20,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Guilderland, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | Bayer |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an activities aide and an activities leader in terms of educational background:
| Activities Aide | Activities Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activities aides' and activities leaders' demographics:
| Activities Aide | Activities Leader | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |