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Activity therapist vs certified recreational therapist

The differences between activity therapists 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 therapist and a certified recreational therapist. Additionally, a certified recreational therapist has an average salary of $61,472, which is higher than the $54,001 average annual salary of an activity therapist.

The top three skills for an activity therapist include patients, mental health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a certified recreational therapist are patients, therapeutic recreation, and rehabilitation.

Activity therapist vs certified recreational therapist overview

Activity TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Yearly salary$54,001$61,472
Hourly rate$25.96$29.55
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs25,09256,515
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Activity therapist vs certified recreational therapist salary

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

Activity TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average salary$54,001$61,472
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $41,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between activity therapist and certified recreational therapist education

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

Activity TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common majorRehabilitation ScienceRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Activity therapist vs certified recreational therapist demographics

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

Activity TherapistCertified Recreational Therapist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 25.8% Female, 74.2%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 therapist and certified recreational therapist duties and responsibilities

Activity therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Organize and participate in treatment programs and activities that facilitate clients' rehabilitation to help integrate back into the community.
  • Work with rehabilitation service's program coordinator to plan treatment programs that facilitate clients' rehabilitation through social and environmental interventions.
  • Show love and compassion, always in a happy mood.
  • Provide therapy for children on the autism spectrum in their homes.
  • Supervise children with autism, schizophrenia, and the mentally challenge.
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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.
  • Show more

Activity therapist vs certified recreational therapist skills

Common activity therapist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Treatment Programs, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Recreational Therapy, 5%
Common certified recreational therapist skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Therapeutic Recreation, 17%
  • Rehabilitation, 12%
  • Recreation Therapy, 10%
  • CTRS, 10%
  • Interdisciplinary, 8%

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