Post job

Activity coordinator vs recreation coordinator

The differences between activity coordinators and recreation coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an activity coordinator and a recreation coordinator. Additionally, a recreation coordinator has an average salary of $40,777, which is higher than the $35,309 average annual salary of an activity coordinator.

The top three skills for an activity coordinator include customer service, patients and CPR. The most important skills for a recreation coordinator are CPR, therapeutic recreation, and recreation programs.

Activity coordinator vs recreation coordinator overview

Activity CoordinatorRecreation Coordinator
Yearly salary$35,309$40,777
Hourly rate$16.98$19.60
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs20,36419,008
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does an activity coordinator do?

An activity coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities. They generally report to the activity director or community manager. One of their tasks is to collaborate with directors of studies to schedule the activities. Other tasks include coordinating staff with the activities and informing them of the decisions regularly. Also, they strategize, coordinate, and encourage the members to participate in the activities.

What does a recreation coordinator do?

Typically working for recreation facilities, a recreation coordinator specializes in planning and organizing recreational activities for large groups of individuals. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify the clients' needs, coordinating with teams to conceptualize plans and themes, setting schedules and objectives, liaising with internal and external parties, and monitoring the progress of all operations from planning to conception. Furthermore, as a recreation coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Activity coordinator vs recreation coordinator salary

Activity coordinators and recreation coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Activity CoordinatorRecreation Coordinator
Average salary$35,309$40,777
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $44,000Between $30,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCCasper, WY
Highest paying stateMississippiMississippi
Best paying companyMedical University of South CarolinaPolk County
Best paying industryGovernmentMedia

Differences between activity coordinator and recreation coordinator education

There are a few differences between an activity coordinator and a recreation coordinator in terms of educational background:

Activity CoordinatorRecreation Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorPsychologyRecreation Management
Most common collegeDuke UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Activity coordinator vs recreation coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between activity coordinators' and recreation coordinators' demographics:

Activity CoordinatorRecreation Coordinator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 28.4% Female, 71.6%Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between activity coordinator and recreation coordinator duties and responsibilities

Activity coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage safety accident reports and ensure that all staff is CPR and a certified.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Direct and implement recreational programs, including adult and youth sports, aquatics, community center and special events.
  • Assist clients in reaching their ISP goals.
  • Specialize with the ADL's for residents with dementia.
  • Assist clients with personal care or ADL's as needed.
  • Show more

Recreation coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
  • Communicate with veterans daily; fulfill shopping requests and arrange communication with family members.
  • Assist with transitioning veterans into facility during initial check-in process including pulling and documenting medical records.
  • Design and disseminate survey instruments to assess and provide analysis of sporting initiatives and programs for regional management and corporate leadership.
  • Incorporate knowledge of therapeutic concepts and methods for determining appropriate recreation therapy services for psychiatric, and chemically dependent, patients.
  • Plan and lead activities to help patients with mental, physical, and memory skills.
  • Show more

Activity coordinator vs recreation coordinator skills

Common activity coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Patients, 20%
  • CPR, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 3%
  • Memory Care, 3%
  • Front Desk, 3%
Common recreation coordinator skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Therapeutic Recreation, 10%
  • Recreation Programs, 9%
  • Recreation Facilities, 5%
  • Sports Programs, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs