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The differences between activities aides and activity coordinators 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 activity coordinator. Additionally, an activity coordinator has an average salary of $35,309, 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 activity coordinator are customer service, patients, and CPR.
| Activities Aide | Activity Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $27,892 | $35,309 |
| Hourly rate | $13.41 | $16.98 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,842 | 20,364 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities. They generally report to the activity director or community manager. One of their tasks is to collaborate with directors of studies to schedule the activities. Other tasks include coordinating staff with the activities and informing them of the decisions regularly. Also, they strategize, coordinate, and encourage the members to participate in the activities.
Activities aides and activity coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Aide | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $27,892 | $35,309 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Guilderland, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Government |
There are a few differences between an activities aide and an activity coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Activities Aide | Activity Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Duke University |
Here are the differences between activities aides' and activity coordinators' demographics:
| Activities Aide | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| 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, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |