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The differences between recreation assistants 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 assistant and a recreation specialist. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $31,040 average annual salary of a recreation assistant.
The top three skills for a recreation assistant include customer service, MDS and recreation programs. The most important skills for a recreation specialist are CPR, customer service, and recreation programs.
| Recreation Assistant | Recreation Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,040 | $39,186 |
| Hourly rate | $14.92 | $18.84 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 4,088 | 3,288 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A recreational assistant is responsible for performing administrative support tasks while under the supervision of a recreational manager. Their duties revolve around planning various activities that align with the company's vision and mission, such as sporting events and other fun games. They also participate in arranging equipment and supplies such as tables and stages, facilitating programs, securing necessary permits and documentation, responding to calls and inquiries, and assisting participants. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all workers and adhere to company policies and regulations.
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 assistants and recreation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Assistant | Recreation Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,040 | $39,186 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $46,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Barnstable Town, MA | Loveland, CO |
| Highest paying state | West Virginia | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | National Park Foundation | Harlem Children's Zone |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a recreation assistant and a recreation specialist in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Assistant | Recreation Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation assistants' and recreation specialists' demographics:
| Recreation Assistant | Recreation Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1% | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |