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The differences between activity assistants and activity specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an activity assistant and an activity specialist. Additionally, an activity specialist has an average salary of $32,860, 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 specialist are adaptive, patients, and mediation.
| Activity Assistant | Activity Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $29,611 | $32,860 |
| Hourly rate | $14.24 | $15.80 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 25,038 | 24,469 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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 specialist is responsible for organizing events and planning activity outline for a social institution or a group of people. Activity specialists identify the activity requirements and goals, coordinate with suppliers and vendors for resources, and calculate costs and expenses within the budget limitations. They also finalize the participants' lists and pick the best grounds to set up an activity, ensuring the safety and security of the guests. An activity specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports and creating clear expectations to discuss with the management.
Activity assistants and activity specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Assistant | Activity Specialist | |
| Average salary | $29,611 | $32,860 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $24,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | California |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | Credit Suisse |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between an activity assistant and an activity specialist in terms of educational background:
| Activity Assistant | Activity Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Fullerton | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activity assistants' and activity specialists' demographics:
| Activity Assistant | Activity Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% |
| 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |