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Activity assistant vs child and youth program assistant

The differences between activity assistants and child and youth program 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 a child and youth program assistant. Additionally, a child and youth program assistant has an average salary of $30,453, 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 a child and youth program assistant are program environment, child care, and program options.

Activity assistant vs child and youth program assistant overview

Activity AssistantChild And Youth Program Assistant
Yearly salary$29,611$30,453
Hourly rate$14.24$14.64
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs25,03882,047
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does an activity assistant do?

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.

What does a child and youth program assistant do?

Child And Youth Program Assistants help create recreational activities for children and youth ranging from 6 weeks to 18 years old. They provide parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child, youth, or program activities.

Activity assistant vs child and youth program assistant salary

Activity assistants and child and youth program assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Activity AssistantChild And Youth Program Assistant
Average salary$29,611$30,453
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew London, CT
Highest paying stateMaineConnecticut
Best paying companySmithsonian InstitutionTrustmark Insurance Co
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between activity assistant and child and youth program assistant education

There are a few differences between an activity assistant and a child and youth program assistant in terms of educational background:

Activity AssistantChild And Youth Program Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonNorthwestern University

Activity assistant vs child and youth program assistant demographics

Here are the differences between activity assistants' and child and youth program assistants' demographics:

Activity AssistantChild And Youth Program Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 18.0% Female, 82.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 7.1% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between activity assistant and child and youth program assistant duties and responsibilities

Activity assistant example responsibilities.

  • Prevent or manage aggressive behavior among individuals and administer CPR in emergency intervention.
  • Coordinate and manage group sessions, including recreational activities for senior citizens and occupational therapy with stroke patients.
  • Assist children with homework assignments, peer mediation, social skills and daily program activities.
  • Plan and execute a variety of enjoyable activities for residents and rehabilitation patients in a safe environment.
  • Post daily to Facebook page and also all waitress duties.
  • Conduct dog walks and in home pet sits with precision.
  • Show more

Child and youth program assistant example responsibilities.

  • Support center's success by partnering with center staff and leadership to achieve goals around enrollment, accreditation, and engagement.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD and NAEYC certification and national accreditation.
  • Provide support and assistance in achieving and maintaining CDC's certification and national accreditation.
  • Ensure assigned area achieves and maintains standards for DoD/Army certification and national accreditation through NAEYC.
  • Receive extensive training in customer service, child abuse, child/infant CPR and first aid.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations used for teen entertainment.
  • Show more

Activity assistant vs child and youth program assistant skills

Common activity assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Good Judgment, 7%
Common child and youth program assistant skills
  • Program Environment, 13%
  • Child Care, 11%
  • Program Options, 10%
  • Child Guidance, 8%
  • Child Development, 7%
  • Naf, 6%

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