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The differences between activity specialists and activity therapists 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 specialist and an activity therapist. Additionally, an activity therapist has an average salary of $54,001, which is higher than the $32,860 average annual salary of an activity specialist.
The top three skills for an activity specialist include adaptive, patients and mediation. The most important skills for an activity therapist are patients, mental health, and rehabilitation.
| Activity Specialist | Activity Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,860 | $54,001 |
| Hourly rate | $15.80 | $25.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 24,469 | 25,092 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An activity specialist is responsible for organizing events and planning activity outline for a social institution or a group of people. Activity specialists identify the activity requirements and goals, coordinate with suppliers and vendors for resources, and calculate costs and expenses within the budget limitations. They also finalize the participants' lists and pick the best grounds to set up an activity, ensuring the safety and security of the guests. An activity specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports and creating clear expectations to discuss with the management.
An Activity Therapist specializes in organizing set activities for patients in hospitals or those undergoing therapy. Recreational activities are essential for uplifting patients' moods and recuperating mentality from the stresses involved with medication and hospitalization. An activity therapist outlines a list of activities customized for the types of patients that will join the activity. Activity Therapists coordinate with other physicians, therapists, and psychologists to better develop activities that benefit everyone.
Activity specialists and activity therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Specialist | Activity Therapist | |
| Average salary | $32,860 | $54,001 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $44,000 | Between $37,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Credit Suisse | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between an activity specialist and an activity therapist in terms of educational background:
| Activity Specialist | Activity Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Rehabilitation Science |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Columbia University in the City of New York |
Here are the differences between activity specialists' and activity therapists' demographics:
| Activity Specialist | Activity Therapist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% | Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |