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The differences between program support 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 program support assistant and an activity assistant. Additionally, a program support assistant has an average salary of $41,107, which is higher than the $29,611 average annual salary of an activity assistant.
The top three skills for a program support assistant include patients, veterans and program support. The most important skills for an activity assistant are patients, home health, and rehabilitation.
| Program Support Assistant | Activity Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $41,107 | $29,611 |
| Hourly rate | $19.76 | $14.24 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 163,716 | 25,038 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A program support assistant is responsible for performing administrative functions to ensure a program's smooth operations. Program support assistants organize the necessary documents, create the expense sheet, respond to the clients' inquiries and concerns, negotiate with vendors and suppliers, and conduct data analysis. They also act as a liaison between the clients and the senior planners to resolve issues and address the clients' requests. A program support assistant maintains the accuracy of client information on the database and regularly updates the clients' files as needed.
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.
Program support assistants and activity assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Support Assistant | Activity Assistant | |
| Average salary | $41,107 | $29,611 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $54,000 | Between $23,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Maine |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a program support assistant and an activity assistant in terms of educational background:
| Program Support Assistant | Activity Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Fullerton |
Here are the differences between program support assistants' and activity assistants' demographics:
| Program Support Assistant | Activity Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.5% White, 54.4% 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 Percentage | 11% | 11% |