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The differences between program technicians 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 technician and an activity assistant. Additionally, a program technician has an average salary of $42,891, which is higher than the $29,611 average annual salary of an activity assistant.
The top three skills for a program technician include customer service, math and technical support. The most important skills for an activity assistant are patients, home health, and rehabilitation.
| Program Technician | Activity Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $42,891 | $29,611 |
| Hourly rate | $20.62 | $14.24 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 83,881 | 25,038 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A program technician is responsible for resolving computer software and application issues and performing administrative duties for customer support. Program technicians keep a record of resolution reports and customer files, process payments for program installations and updates, and offer new services to the customers according to their needs and account eligibility. A program technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in navigating computer systems, to guide the clients with troubleshooting and improving the optimization of applications.
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 technicians and activity assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Technician | Activity Assistant | |
| Average salary | $42,891 | $29,611 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $71,000 | Between $23,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellingham, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Maine |
| Best paying company | Meta | Smithsonian Institution |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a program technician and an activity assistant in terms of educational background:
| Program Technician | Activity Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Fullerton |
Here are the differences between program technicians' and activity assistants' demographics:
| Program Technician | Activity Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | 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% |