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The differences between activity assistants and residential 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 residential assistant. Additionally, a residential assistant has an average salary of $30,918, 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 residential assistant are direct care, developmental disabilities, and mental health.
| Activity Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $29,611 | $30,918 |
| Hourly rate | $14.24 | $14.86 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 25,038 | 91,326 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
A residential assistant is in charge of overseeing the living conditions of students in a university or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for assisting students and making them feel at ease within the dormitory or campus community. Moreover, a residential assistant must respond to inquiries and concerns, handle and settle any issues or problems, take part in organizing activities that are beneficial to the students, and keep them informed on all community-related updates. Furthermore, it is crucial to adhere to and implement the campus rules and regulations at all times, maintaining a safe environment for everyone.
Activity assistants and residential assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Average salary | $29,611 | $30,918 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $25,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | University of California |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between an activity assistant and a residential assistant in terms of educational background:
| Activity Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Fullerton | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between activity assistants' and residential assistants' demographics:
| Activity Assistant | Residential Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.1% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |