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Playground director vs recreation assistant

The differences between playground directors and recreation assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a playground director and a recreation assistant. Additionally, a recreation assistant has an average salary of $31,040, which is higher than the $30,197 average annual salary of a playground director.

The top three skills for a playground director include children age, kids and . The most important skills for a recreation assistant are customer service, MDS, and recreation programs.

Playground director vs recreation assistant overview

Playground DirectorRecreation Assistant
Yearly salary$30,197$31,040
Hourly rate$14.52$14.92
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs5,9774,088
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Playground director vs recreation assistant salary

Playground directors and recreation assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Playground DirectorRecreation Assistant
Average salary$30,197$31,040
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $42,000Between $20,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Barnstable Town, MA
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-National Park Foundation
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between playground director and recreation assistant education

There are a few differences between a playground director and a recreation assistant in terms of educational background:

Playground DirectorRecreation Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorElementary EducationBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Playground director vs recreation assistant demographics

Here are the differences between playground directors' and recreation assistants' demographics:

Playground DirectorRecreation Assistant
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 46.5% Female, 53.5%Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between playground director and recreation assistant duties and responsibilities

Playground director example responsibilities.

  • Guide and nurture campers by accompanying them to and assisting with camp activities, and lead hiking and canoe trips
  • Play games that the kids want to play and take the kids on field trips.
  • Interact with the kids making sure they are learning and having a good time.
  • Provide assistance to other camp counselors and administrative leadership by supervising campers at all times to ensure safety and amusement.
  • Plan bible study for the entire camp, create interactive games for the campers and act as mentor to the children.

Recreation assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage one-on-one and group social and physical sessions with long-term nursing and short-term rehabilitation residents
  • Assist multiple MWR facilities with the upkeep, accountability and sanitation of workout and rehabilitation equipment.
  • Respond to emergency situation and administering first aid and CPR when need.
  • Assist in the setup and operation of major MWR events, such as Oktoberfest and fund raising concerts.
  • Coordinate large events/gatherings in accordance with MWR procedures, including reserving special locations, food & beverage and entertainment.
  • Conduct therapeutic groups such as ADL skills, team building, self expression and skill building amongst all age groups.
  • Show more

Playground director vs recreation assistant skills

Common playground director skills
  • Children AGE, 51%
  • Kids, 49%
Common recreation assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • MDS, 16%
  • Recreation Programs, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%

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