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What is an activity assistant and how to become one
An activity assistant helps plan, organize and lead recreational activities in various settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, community centers, and schools. They work under the supervision of activity directors to create programs that promote well-being. The job requires creativity, patience, and communication to engage participants. An activity assistant may lead group exercises, games, arts and crafts, music, dance, or outings to encourage socialization. They document progress and report concerns to the activity director.
Avg. Salary $29,611
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 12%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 2.13%
Asian 6.03%
Black or African American 10.58%
Hispanic or Latino 18.38%
Unknown 5.15%
White 57.73%
Genderfemale 83.19%
male 16.81%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being an activity assistant?
Pros
Chance to build strong relationships with residents and their families
Possibility for flexible scheduling and part-time work
Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Ability to work in a fun and engaging environment
Cons
Can be emotionally taxing, dealing with end-of-life issues or difficult family members
May require working weekends, evenings, or holidays
Can involve repetitive tasks or routines
Can be low-paying compared to other healthcare jobs
May involve exposure to illness or injury from residents or coworkers
Activity assistant career paths
Key steps to become an activity assistant
Explore activity assistant education requirements
Start to develop specific activity assistant skills
Skills Percentages Patients 15.61% Home Health 8.90% Rehabilitation 8.43% Senior Care 8.05% Customer Service 7.40% Complete relevant activity assistant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New activity assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an activity assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real activity assistant resumes.Research activity assistant duties and 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.
Prepare your activity assistant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your activity assistant resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an activity assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable activity assistant resume templates
Build a professional activity assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your activity assistant resume.
Apply for activity assistant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an activity assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first activity assistant job
Are you an activity assistant?
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Average activity assistant salary
The average activity assistant salary in the United States is $29,611 per year or $14 per hour. Activity assistant salaries range between $23,000 and $37,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do activity assistants rate their job?
Activity assistant reviews
Really there is nothing I do not like, because my job is to entertain and bring enjoyment to my community. I like to see the smiles of residents as they achieve a craft, it makes feel proud knowing I did that.
Dont know
learning about the residents
trying to engage people who do not want to be bothered
Activity assistant FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
