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Activity therapist vs recreational therapy technician

The differences between activity therapists and recreational therapy technicians 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 recreational therapy technician. Additionally, an activity therapist has an average salary of $54,001, which is higher than the $45,332 average annual salary of a recreational therapy technician.

The top three skills for an activity therapist include patients, mental health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a recreational therapy technician are developmental disabilities, , and .

Activity therapist vs recreational therapy technician overview

Activity TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Yearly salary$54,001$45,332
Hourly rate$25.96$21.79
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs25,09216,487
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Activity therapist vs recreational therapy technician salary

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

Activity TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Average salary$54,001$45,332
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $30,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between activity therapist and recreational therapy technician education

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

Activity TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorRehabilitation SciencePsychology
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Activity therapist vs recreational therapy technician demographics

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

Activity TherapistRecreational Therapy Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 25.8% Female, 74.2%Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%
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 recreational therapy technician 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.
  • Show more

Recreational therapy technician example responsibilities.

  • Implement and plan activities, written by CTRS.
  • Prepare materials for assessments and provide assistance to individuals through hands-on methods and direct contact observations by assisting the rehabilitation supervisor.
  • Redesign gazebo for accessible gardening activities.

Activity therapist vs recreational therapy technician skills

Common activity therapist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Treatment Programs, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Recreational Therapy, 5%
Common recreational therapy technician skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 100%

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