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The differences between activity therapists and therapeutic recreation specialists 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 therapeutic recreation specialist. Additionally, an activity therapist has an average salary of $54,001, which is higher than the $46,477 average annual salary of a therapeutic recreation specialist.
The top three skills for an activity therapist include patients, mental health and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a therapeutic recreation specialist are patients, CTRS, and interdisciplinary.
| Activity Therapist | Therapeutic Recreation Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,001 | $46,477 |
| Hourly rate | $25.96 | $22.34 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 25,092 | 38,571 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A Therapeutic Recreation Specialist treats people who are suffering from chronic disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. They often work in medical centers, hospitals, and private rehabilitation facilities.
Activity therapists and therapeutic recreation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Activity Therapist | Therapeutic Recreation Specialist | |
| Average salary | $54,001 | $46,477 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $78,000 | Between $31,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | LCMC Health |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an activity therapist and a therapeutic recreation specialist in terms of educational background:
| Activity Therapist | Therapeutic Recreation Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 82% |
| Most common major | Rehabilitation Science | Rehabilitation Science |
| Most common college | Columbia University in the City of New York | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between activity therapists' and therapeutic recreation specialists' demographics:
| Activity Therapist | Therapeutic Recreation Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2% | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% |
| 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% |