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The differences between activities leaders and recreation assistants 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 leader and a recreation assistant. Additionally, a recreation assistant has an average salary of $31,040, which is higher than the $30,329 average annual salary of an activities leader.
The top three skills for an activities leader include CPR, direct supervision and homework assistance. The most important skills for a recreation assistant are customer service, MDS, and recreation programs.
| Activities Leader | Recreation Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $30,329 | $31,040 |
| Hourly rate | $14.58 | $14.92 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 35,544 | 4,088 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A recreational assistant is responsible for performing administrative support tasks while under the supervision of a recreational manager. Their duties revolve around planning various activities that align with the company's vision and mission, such as sporting events and other fun games. They also participate in arranging equipment and supplies such as tables and stages, facilitating programs, securing necessary permits and documentation, responding to calls and inquiries, and assisting participants. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all workers and adhere to company policies and regulations.
Activities leaders and recreation assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activities Leader | Recreation Assistant | |
| Average salary | $30,329 | $31,040 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $45,000 | Between $20,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Barnstable Town, MA |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | West Virginia |
| Best paying company | Bayer | National Park Foundation |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an activities leader and a recreation assistant in terms of educational background:
| Activities Leader | Recreation Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activities leaders' and recreation assistants' demographics:
| Activities Leader | Recreation Assistant | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% | Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |