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The differences between activity assistants and activity coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an activity assistant, becoming an activity coordinator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an activity coordinator has an average salary of $35,309, which is higher than the $29,611 average annual salary of an activity assistant.
The top three skills for an activity assistant include patients, home health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for an activity coordinator are customer service, patients, and CPR.
| Activity Assistant | Activity Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $29,611 | $35,309 |
| Hourly rate | $14.24 | $16.98 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 25,038 | 20,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Activity assistants are the ones who organize and execute activities in different settings, including recreation centers, camps, cruise ships, and retirement or nursing homes. They design programs to encourage physical activity, increase socialization, deliver continuing education, and provide entertainment. They are also the ones who handle logistics, select and demonstrate activities, maintain proper equipment, and ensure the safety of participants. They can work full-time, part-time, or seasonally in different settings depending on the kind of clients that they cater to.
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.
Activity assistants and activity coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Assistant | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $29,611 | $35,309 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an activity assistant and an activity coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Activity Assistant | Activity Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Fullerton | Duke University |
Here are the differences between activity assistants' and activity coordinators' demographics:
| Activity Assistant | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | 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 | 11% | 8% |