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The differences between activities aides and senior counselors 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 a senior counselor. Additionally, a senior counselor has an average salary of $127,405, 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 a senior counselor are litigation, legal advice, and legal issues.
| Activities Aide | Senior Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $27,892 | $127,405 |
| Hourly rate | $13.41 | $61.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 41,842 | 28,008 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a senior counselor will depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Most of the time, a senior counselor works with the youth, particularly children. They focus on facilitating recreational programs, ensuring a safe and fun experience for them. They may also assess the children's condition and needs, providing them with the necessary assistance and guidance. Furthermore, when a senior counselor must reach out to parents and guardians, they may inform them of any concerns or progress.
Activities aides and senior counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Aide | Senior Counselor | |
| Average salary | $27,892 | $127,405 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $81,000 And $200,000 |
| Highest paying City | Guilderland, NY | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between an activities aide and a senior counselor in terms of educational background:
| Activities Aide | Senior Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Law |
| Most common college | Minnesota State University - Mankato | Duke University |
Here are the differences between activities aides' and senior counselors' demographics:
| Activities Aide | Senior Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| 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, 13.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |