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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Activity Assistant is around $29,611 per year, which translates to about $14 per hour. This role is critical in helping individuals, particularly in healthcare settings, engage in meaningful activities that enhance their quality of life.
Salary levels can differ based on experience, with entry-level positions earning closer to the lower end of the spectrum, while more experienced professionals may command higher wages. For example, those with several years in the field may earn upwards of $35,000 annually.
Geographical location significantly impacts salary as well. States like California and New York typically offer higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for healthcare services. For instance, Activity Assistants in these states can expect salaries ranging from $32,000 to $38,000.
For those seeking to advance, obtaining certifications or specializing in areas such as geriatric care can enhance job prospects and potentially lead to higher salaries. Ultimately, this profession offers a pathway to rewarding opportunities for those passionate about making a difference.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level activity assistant | $20,500 | $9.88 |
| Mid-level activity assistant | $29,200 | $14.02 |
| Senior-level activity assistant | $33,500 | $16.10 |
The highest-paying states for activity assistants are Maine, Hawaii, and New Hampshire. The lowest average activity assistant salary states are Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $33,851 | $16.27 |
| 2 | Alaska | $32,555 | $15.65 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $43,231 | $20.78 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $33,722 | $16.21 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $36,093 | $17.35 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $30,550 | $14.69 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $29,841 | $14.35 |
| 9 | Maine | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 10 | Nevada | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| 11 | California | $33,683 | $16.19 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $30,539 | $14.68 |
| 13 | New York | $30,314 | $14.57 |
| 14 | Illinois | $29,531 | $14.20 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $31,475 | $15.13 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $29,990 | $14.42 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $28,317 | $13.61 |
| 18 | Washington | $31,832 | $15.30 |
| 19 | West Virginia | $26,216 | $12.60 |
| 20 | Oregon | $30,213 | $14.53 |
| 21 | Colorado | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| 22 | Ohio | $27,105 | $13.03 |
| 23 | Arizona | $27,840 | $13.38 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $28,566 | $13.73 |
| 25 | Maryland | $27,456 | $13.20 |
| 26 | Vermont | $28,336 | $13.62 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $27,400 | $13.17 |
| 28 | Florida | $26,493 | $12.74 |
| 29 | Texas | $27,279 | $13.11 |
| 30 | Virginia | $28,298 | $13.60 |
| 31 | Michigan | $25,363 | $12.19 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $25,434 | $12.23 |
| 33 | Iowa | $25,866 | $12.44 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $26,901 | $12.93 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $25,256 | $12.14 |
| 36 | Missouri | $27,054 | $13.01 |
| 37 | Kansas | $26,123 | $12.56 |
| 38 | Indiana | $24,747 | $11.90 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $25,122 | $12.08 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $25,116 | $12.07 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $25,283 | $12.16 |
| 42 | Montana | $26,556 | $12.77 |
| 43 | Georgia | $24,916 | $11.98 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $24,705 | $11.88 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $23,066 | $11.09 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $25,199 | $12.11 |
| 47 | Delaware | $25,663 | $12.34 |
| 48 | Utah | $23,893 | $11.49 |
| 49 | Idaho | $24,739 | $11.89 |
| 50 | Alabama | $21,572 | $10.37 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $21,293 | $10.24 |
The highest-paying cities for activity assistants are Washington, DC, San Mateo, CA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $43,262 | $20.80 |
| 2 | San Mateo, CA | $34,528 | $16.60 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $33,701 | $16.20 |
| 4 | Bismarck, ND | $33,150 | $15.94 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $32,118 | $15.44 |
| 6 | West Orange, NJ | $30,732 | $14.78 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,877 | $14.36 |
| 9 | Naperville, IL | $29,505 | $14.19 |
| 10 | Arlington, VA | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $28,473 | $13.69 |
| 12 | Fort Collins, CO | $28,319 | $13.61 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $27,865 | $13.40 |
| 14 | Akron, OH | $27,671 | $13.30 |
| 15 | Baltimore, MD | $27,607 | $13.27 |
| 16 | Arlington, TX | $27,241 | $13.10 |
| 17 | Chesterfield, MO | $27,090 | $13.02 |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $26,933 | $12.95 |
| 19 | Tampa, FL | $26,609 | $12.79 |
| 20 | Granger, IN | $25,456 | $12.24 |
An activity assistant's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| Average | $29,611 | $2,468 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
The highest paying types of activity assistants are addictions counselor assistant, advising assistant, and assistant program coordinator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activity Coordinator | $35,309 | $2,942 | $16.98 | 20,364 |
| Activities Aide | $27,892 | $2,324 | $13.41 | 41,842 |
Top companies hiring activity assistants now:
Activity assistant salaries at Smithsonian Institution and Cadence Design Systems are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average activity assistant salary at companies like Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Highland General Hospital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smithsonian Institution | $58,814 | $28.28 |
| 2 | Cadence Design Systems | $46,025 | $22.13 |
| 3 | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital | $43,206 | $20.77 |
| 4 | Highland General Hospital | $42,067 | $20.22 |
| 5 | Alameda Health System | $41,025 | $19.72 |
| 6 | Ilitch Holdings | $40,425 | $19.44 |
| 7 | Fallon Health | $38,858 | $18.68 |
| 8 | Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners | $38,229 | $18.38 |
| 9 | RSL | $38,043 | $18.29 |
| 10 | New York State Restaurant Association | $37,775 | $18.16 |
| 11 | Mayo Clinic | $37,393 | $17.98 |
| 12 | Oxford Health of New Jersey | $37,337 | $17.95 |
| 13 | New Hope Services | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 14 | Kisco Senior Living | $36,297 | $17.45 |
| 15 | Baylor College of Medicine | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| 16 | Iowa Department of Transportation | $35,906 | $17.26 |
| 17 | Riverside Community Hospital | $35,758 | $17.19 |
| 18 | Independent Health | $35,238 | $16.94 |
| 19 | Sunrise Senior Living Management Inc | $35,092 | $16.87 |
| 20 | San Jose Behavioral Health Hospital | $34,775 | $16.72 |
The average activity assistant salary has risen by $5,946 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average activity assistant earned $23,665 annually, but today, they earn $29,611 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for activity assistants over the last decade.
Compare activity assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare activity assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,600 | $14.24 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $28,900 | $13.88 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $27,800 | $13.36 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $27,300 | $13.11 | +4.0% |
| 2021 | $26,200 | $12.59 | +3.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso Health Care Center | Activities Assistant | El Paso, IL | 06/30/2025 | $31,305 |
| Equity Lifestyle Properties | Activities Assistant | Pulaski, NY | 06/30/2025 | $31,305 |
| Equity Lifestyle Properties | Activities Assistant | Jamul, CA | 06/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| Equity Lifestyle Properties | Activities Assistant | Ocean, NJ | 06/30/2025 | $32,328 |
| Ioaging | Activities Assistant | San Francisco, CA | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Crestwood Behavioral Health | Activities Assistant | Fremont, CA | 06/29/2025 | $51,340 |
| Kisco Senior Living | Activities Assistant | Brookline, MA | 06/29/2025 | $52,175 |
| Kisco Senior Living | Activities Assistant | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Brightview Senior Living | Activities Assistant-Memory Care | Tenafly, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Brightview Senior Living | Activities Assistant Memory Care | Annapolis, MD | 06/29/2025 | $35,479 |
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