Post job

Career assistant vs activity assistant

The differences between career assistants and activity assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a career assistant and an activity assistant. Additionally, an activity assistant has an average salary of $29,611, which is higher than the $29,098 average annual salary of a career assistant.

The top three skills for a career assistant include scheduling appointments, career services and assistance program. The most important skills for an activity assistant are patients, home health, and rehabilitation.

Career assistant vs activity assistant overview

Career AssistantActivity Assistant
Yearly salary$29,098$29,611
Hourly rate$13.99$14.24
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs17,11725,038
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a career assistant do?

A career assistant is responsible for conducting one-on-one coaching for students to determine their career aspirations according to their skills and interests. Career assistants support and advise the students in searching for jobs or internships they qualify for, help them create a smart resume, invite them to career seminars and orientations, and manage the students' weaknesses that hinder them from professional growth. A career assistant must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in keeping records of students' information and filing reports as necessary.

What does an activity assistant do?

Activity assistants are the ones who organize and execute activities in different settings, including recreation centers, camps, cruise ships, and retirement or nursing homes. They design programs to encourage physical activity, increase socialization, deliver continuing education, and provide entertainment. They are also the ones who handle logistics, select and demonstrate activities, maintain proper equipment, and ensure the safety of participants. They can work full-time, part-time, or seasonally in different settings depending on the kind of clients that they cater to.

Career assistant vs activity assistant salary

Career assistants and activity assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career AssistantActivity Assistant
Average salary$29,098$29,611
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $51,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Smithsonian Institution
Best paying industry--

Differences between career assistant and activity assistant education

There are a few differences between a career assistant and an activity assistant in terms of educational background:

Career AssistantActivity Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Career assistant vs activity assistant demographics

Here are the differences between career assistants' and activity assistants' demographics:

Career AssistantActivity Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.2% Female, 70.8%Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 52.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between career assistant and activity assistant duties and responsibilities

Career assistant example responsibilities.

  • Interact with admissions tours, students, and alumni with a high caliber of customer service.
  • Assist veterans apply for VA educational benefits.
  • Administer workshop surveys and assist with Microsoft PowerPoint demonstrations.
  • Work with coordinator of center on educational and alumni placement.
  • Call non-member veterans, explain organization's mission and perform intake process, entering data in computer database.
  • Verify accuracy of data by combining data from various systems and compiling in spreadsheets, incorporate data into PowerPoint presentations.
  • Show more

Activity assistant example responsibilities.

  • Prevent or manage aggressive behavior among individuals and administer CPR in emergency intervention.
  • Coordinate and manage group sessions, including recreational activities for senior citizens and occupational therapy with stroke patients.
  • Assist children with homework assignments, peer mediation, social skills and daily program activities.
  • Plan and execute a variety of enjoyable activities for residents and rehabilitation patients in a safe environment.
  • Post daily to Facebook page and also all waitress duties.
  • Conduct dog walks and in home pet sits with precision.
  • Show more

Career assistant vs activity assistant skills

Common career assistant skills
  • Scheduling Appointments, 18%
  • Career Services, 11%
  • Assistance Program, 8%
  • Mock Interviews, 8%
  • Alumni, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
Common activity assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Good Judgment, 7%

Browse community and social services jobs