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Activity specialist vs recreational therapy aide

The differences between activity specialists and recreational therapy aides 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 recreational therapy aide. Additionally, a recreational therapy aide has an average salary of $50,346, 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 recreational therapy aide are recreational therapy, patients, and CPR.

Activity specialist vs recreational therapy aide overview

Activity SpecialistRecreational Therapy Aide
Yearly salary$32,860$50,346
Hourly rate$15.80$24.20
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs24,46950,591
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Activity specialist vs recreational therapy aide salary

Activity specialists and recreational therapy aides have different pay scales, as shown below.

Activity SpecialistRecreational Therapy Aide
Average salary$32,860$50,346
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $44,000Between $35,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCredit Suisse-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between activity specialist and recreational therapy aide education

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

Activity SpecialistRecreational Therapy Aide
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Activity specialist vs recreational therapy aide demographics

Here are the differences between activity specialists' and recreational therapy aides' demographics:

Activity SpecialistRecreational Therapy Aide
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 23.9% Female, 76.1%
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 recreational therapy aide 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.
  • Show more

Recreational therapy aide example responsibilities.

  • Work with MDS coordinator and interview residents for annual MDS sections and care planning.
  • Counsele and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
  • Assist recreation therapists in planning and implementing recreation-base treatment programs to patients.
  • Coordinate rehabilitation practices through recreational activities
  • Perform orthopedic rehabilitation and adolescent psych rehabilitation.
  • Perform orthopedic rehabilitation and adolescent psych rehabilitation.

Activity specialist vs recreational therapy aide skills

Common activity specialist skills
  • Adaptive, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Mediation, 9%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Brand Marketing, 7%
Common recreational therapy aide skills
  • Recreational Therapy, 32%
  • Patients, 25%
  • CPR, 12%
  • Compassion, 11%
  • Music Therapy, 9%
  • Therapeutic Recreation Programs, 8%

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