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Recreation aide vs recreation specialist

The differences between recreation aides and recreation specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a recreation aide and a recreation specialist. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $28,756 average annual salary of a recreation aide.

The top three skills for a recreation aide include customer service, CPR and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a recreation specialist are CPR, customer service, and recreation programs.

Recreation aide vs recreation specialist overview

Recreation AideRecreation Specialist
Yearly salary$28,756$39,186
Hourly rate$13.82$18.84
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs43,2833,288
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a recreation aide do?

A recreation aide is responsible for assisting with the planning of recreational activities, following the supervision of a recreational manager. Recreation aides prepare all the resources, guide the participants, maintain the activity equipment, facilitate the program, and reiterate the guidelines for the safe execution of the activity. They also ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to be used. A recreation aide must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the participants' inquiries and concerns, as well as performing administrative duties as the recreational manager advises.

What does a recreation specialist do?

A recreation specialist is responsible for planning and organizing engaging activities according to the event's purpose and community theme. Recreation specialists handle the event's outline from conceptualization to the actual execution, including the location, resources, participants, and budget limitations. They consider the needs of the participants and develop strategic plans that would cater to their lifestyle, growth, and development. A recreation specialist may also conduct outreach operations to gain sponsors and fundraising to enhance community events.

Recreation aide vs recreation specialist salary

Recreation aides and recreation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation AideRecreation Specialist
Average salary$28,756$39,186
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $36,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WALoveland, CO
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMississippi
Best paying companyNational Park FoundationHarlem Children's Zone
Best paying industryGovernmentHospitality

Differences between recreation aide and recreation specialist education

There are a few differences between a recreation aide and a recreation specialist in terms of educational background:

Recreation AideRecreation Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessKinesiology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Recreation aide vs recreation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between recreation aides' and recreation specialists' demographics:

Recreation AideRecreation Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 39.8% Female, 60.2%Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recreation aide and recreation specialist duties and responsibilities

Recreation aide example responsibilities.

  • Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
  • Maintain certifications of CPR, food service, child care, cleanliness, etc.
  • Promote and enforce safety procedures; render first aid and CPR, if certify, as required.
  • Plan and run daily recreational activities for at risk youth.
  • Operate riding lawn mowers, push lawn mowers, weed-whackers, edgers, chainsaws.
  • Organize and participate in activities with patients on and off the rehabilitation unit such as cooking and playing games.
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Recreation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide evidence base intervention to help manage behavior in children diagnose with ADHD.
  • Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as bingo cards, machines, and markers.
  • Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
  • Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
  • Register customers for programs and take facility reservations.
  • Base leadership recognize program for triple increase in membership and decrease in teen relate incidents requiring military police involvement.
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Recreation aide vs recreation specialist skills

Common recreation aide skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • CPR, 18%
  • Rehabilitation, 11%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Recreational Facilities, 4%
  • Safety Rules, 4%
Common recreation specialist skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Recreation Programs, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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