Post job

Activity assistant vs social services assistant

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 vs social services assistant overview

Activity AssistantSocial Services Assistant
Yearly salary$29,611$37,445
Hourly rate$14.24$18.00
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs25,038152,760
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 social services assistant do?

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 assistant vs social services assistant salary

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

Activity AssistantSocial Services Assistant
Average salary$29,611$37,445
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $29,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCTacoma, WA
Highest paying stateMaineWashington
Best paying companySmithsonian InstitutionResearch Foundation of The City University of New York
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between activity assistant and social services assistant education

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

Activity AssistantSocial Services Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessSocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonSUNY at Binghamton

Activity assistant vs social services assistant demographics

Here are the differences between activity assistants' and social services assistants' demographics:

Activity AssistantSocial Services Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 17.0% Female, 83.0%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between activity assistant and social services 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

Social services assistant example responsibilities.

  • Initial triage of members, administrative intake of members and managing the admission/discharge information post-notification.
  • Assist individuals and families in need with applications for food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, cash assistance and housing.
  • Develop, organize and conduct programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships and rehabilitation.
  • Verify Medicare coverage/ benefits/ obtain prior authorization.
  • Process specialize Medicaid applications receive from government agencies and social service organizations which require urgent processing.
  • Establish, maintain and generate military and community contacts structure to address various services available to respective patients.
  • Show more

Activity assistant vs social services assistant skills

Common activity assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Good Judgment, 7%
Common social services assistant skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Discharge Planning, 6%
  • Term Care, 6%
  • Community Resources, 3%

Browse community and social services jobs