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The differences between activities aides and orientation 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 orientation leader. Additionally, an orientation leader has an average salary of $33,848, 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 orientation leader are role model, group discussions, and orientation program.
| Activities Aide | Orientation Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $27,892 | $33,848 |
| Hourly rate | $13.41 | $16.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,842 | 32,073 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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 orientation leader helps new students adjust to life in universities or colleges. They are primarily responsible for sharing campus advice, facilitating campus tours, assisting incoming students in class and organization registrations, introducing university opportunities, and discussing essential matters with students and their families. Furthermore, an orientation leader usually works with faculty members and staff, coordinating with them, especially when handling students' programs. Aside from serving as a role model, an orientation leader must also share various academic and social resources to help the freshmen.
Activities aides and orientation leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Aide | Orientation Leader | |
| Average salary | $27,892 | $33,848 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $10,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Guilderland, NY | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between an activities aide and an orientation leader in terms of educational background:
| Activities Aide | Orientation Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activities aides' and orientation leaders' demographics:
| Activities Aide | Orientation Leader | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |