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Activity specialist vs certified recreational therapist

The differences between activity specialists and certified recreational 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 a certified recreational therapist. Additionally, a certified recreational therapist has an average salary of $61,472, 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 a certified recreational therapist are patients, therapeutic recreation, and rehabilitation.

Activity specialist vs certified recreational therapist overview

Activity SpecialistCertified Recreational Therapist
Yearly salary$32,860$61,472
Hourly rate$15.80$29.55
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs24,46956,515
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Activity specialist vs certified recreational therapist salary

Activity specialists and certified recreational therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Activity SpecialistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average salary$32,860$61,472
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $44,000Between $41,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCredit Suisse-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between activity specialist and certified recreational therapist education

There are a few differences between an activity specialist and a certified recreational therapist in terms of educational background:

Activity SpecialistCertified Recreational Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorBusinessRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Activity specialist vs certified recreational therapist demographics

Here are the differences between activity specialists' and certified recreational therapists' demographics:

Activity SpecialistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 19.6% Female, 80.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between activity specialist and certified recreational therapist duties and responsibilities

Activity specialist example responsibilities.

  • Design and lead programs, including programs nationally and in Germany, to facilitate software use in mathematics and science instruction.
  • Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
  • Provide clinically valid psychiatric rehabilitation services to patients to include assessments and evaluations of patients rehabilitative and recreational leisure enrichment needs.
  • Perform TCI de-escalation techniques and restraints in order to maintain client and environment safety.
  • Develop, refine and coordinate the execution of monthly, quarterly and annual event calendars and NAF budgets.
  • Coordinate and run various activities including, but not limit to, bingo, trivia, pool parties, and cabarets.
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Certified recreational therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Provide instruction and awareness on use of adaptive equipment.
  • Function as a PRN CTRS for an adult inpatient psychiatric hospital.
  • Research and purchase adaptive equipment, activity supplies and daily needs for the program.
  • Lead and co-lead therapeutic psychiatric rehabilitation groups.
  • Create policy and procedure manual for rehabilitation unit van.
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Activity specialist vs certified recreational therapist skills

Common activity specialist skills
  • Adaptive, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Mediation, 9%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Brand Marketing, 7%
Common certified recreational therapist skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Therapeutic Recreation, 17%
  • Rehabilitation, 12%
  • Recreation Therapy, 10%
  • CTRS, 10%
  • Interdisciplinary, 8%

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