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The differences between activity assistants and advising assistants 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 advising assistant. Additionally, an advising assistant has an average salary of $42,453, 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 advising assistant are financial aid, customer service, and scheduling appointments.
| Activity Assistant | Advising Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $29,611 | $42,453 |
| Hourly rate | $14.24 | $20.41 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 25,038 | 15,603 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 advising assistant works with school or university counselors, with a primary focus on students' mental welfare. Their responsibilities are to document sessions with patients, provide clerical assistance, and assist with psychological assessments. This position preferably requires a degree in psychology. Strong communication and organization skills are also necessary.
Activity assistants and advising assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Assistant | Advising Assistant | |
| Average salary | $29,611 | $42,453 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $26,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Maine | - |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an activity assistant and an advising assistant in terms of educational background:
| Activity Assistant | Advising Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Fullerton | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between activity assistants' and advising assistants' demographics:
| Activity Assistant | Advising Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 7.2% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |