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The differences between activity assistants and social services 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 social services assistant. Additionally, a social services assistant has an average salary of $37,445, 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 social services assistant are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.
| Activity Assistant | Social Services Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $29,611 | $37,445 |
| Hourly rate | $14.24 | $18.00 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 25,038 | 152,760 |
| 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.
A social services assistant is responsible for supporting the social needs of citizens within society. Social services assistants work within the community office or health institutions to assist patients and their families in processing their needs and obtaining medical information. They also coordinate with other organizations to gather additional resources and financial assistance to plan community programs that will be beneficial for society. A social services assistant provides counseling to the families to identify the services and referrals they needed.
Activity assistants and social services assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Assistant | Social Services Assistant | |
| Average salary | $29,611 | $37,445 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $29,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Tacoma, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Washington |
| Best paying company | Smithsonian Institution | Research Foundation of The City University of New York |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an activity assistant and a social services assistant in terms of educational background:
| Activity Assistant | Social Services Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Social Work |
| Most common college | California State University - Fullerton | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between activity assistants' and social services assistants' demographics:
| Activity Assistant | Social Services Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% | Male, 17.0% Female, 83.0% |
| 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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |