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Activity assistant vs communication assistant

The differences between activity assistants and communication 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 communication assistant. Additionally, a communication assistant has an average salary of $32,824, 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 communication assistant are customer service, web content, and administrative tasks.

Activity assistant vs communication assistant overview

Activity AssistantCommunication Assistant
Yearly salary$29,611$32,824
Hourly rate$14.24$15.78
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs25,03814,878
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 communication assistant do?

A communication assistant is responsible for publishing content and analyzing brainstorming ideas to create an engaging publication. Communication assistants' duties include posting newsletters, spreading company updates through bulletin boards or digital contents, managing the organization's press release and media coverage, monitoring social media presence, developing strategic communication procedures with the team, and researching trends. They also perform administrative tasks as needed. A communication assistant must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and speaking, especially when interacting with a large group or writing content duties.

Activity assistant vs communication assistant salary

Activity assistants and communication assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Activity AssistantCommunication Assistant
Average salary$29,611$32,824
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $22,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateMaineNorth Dakota
Best paying companySmithsonian InstitutionGoogle
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between activity assistant and communication assistant education

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

Activity AssistantCommunication Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorBusinessCommunication
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonNorthwestern University

Activity assistant vs communication assistant demographics

Here are the differences between activity assistants' and communication assistants' demographics:

Activity AssistantCommunication Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.6% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between activity assistant and communication 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

Communication assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage back-end of website (CMS and technologies); update member directory; create content and news feed on website.
  • Set up promotions for upcoming events and update stations twitter, tumbler, and Facebook account daily.
  • Provide feedback and analysis on school's Instagram social media strategy.
  • Maintain website using CMS and HTML programming for organization marquee events.
  • Maintain confidentiality standards during calls while keeping a typing speed of 60 wpm
  • Experience with AP style format, social media marketing and HTML training.
  • Show more

Activity assistant vs communication assistant skills

Common activity assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Good Judgment, 7%
Common communication assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Web Content, 8%
  • Administrative Tasks, 8%
  • Press Releases, 7%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Residential Life, 5%

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