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The differences between recreation coordinators and orientation leaders 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 coordinator and an orientation leader. Additionally, a recreation coordinator has an average salary of $40,777, which is higher than the $33,848 average annual salary of an orientation leader.
The top three skills for a recreation coordinator include CPR, therapeutic recreation and recreation programs. The most important skills for an orientation leader are role model, group discussions, and orientation program.
| Recreation Coordinator | Orientation Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $40,777 | $33,848 |
| Hourly rate | $19.60 | $16.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 19,008 | 32,073 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Typically working for recreation facilities, a recreation coordinator specializes in planning and organizing recreational activities for large groups of individuals. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify the clients' needs, coordinating with teams to conceptualize plans and themes, setting schedules and objectives, liaising with internal and external parties, and monitoring the progress of all operations from planning to conception. Furthermore, as a recreation coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
An orientation leader helps new students adjust to life in universities or colleges. They are primarily responsible for sharing campus advice, facilitating campus tours, assisting incoming students in class and organization registrations, introducing university opportunities, and discussing essential matters with students and their families. Furthermore, an orientation leader usually works with faculty members and staff, coordinating with them, especially when handling students' programs. Aside from serving as a role model, an orientation leader must also share various academic and social resources to help the freshmen.
Recreation coordinators and orientation leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Coordinator | Orientation Leader | |
| Average salary | $40,777 | $33,848 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $54,000 | Between $10,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Casper, WY | - |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | - |
| Best paying company | Polk County | - |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a recreation coordinator and an orientation leader in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Coordinator | Orientation Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Recreation Management | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation coordinators' and orientation leaders' demographics:
| Recreation Coordinator | Orientation Leader | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% | Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |