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The differences between recreation directors and activity coordinators 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 director and an activity coordinator. Additionally, a recreation director has an average salary of $48,525, which is higher than the $35,309 average annual salary of an activity coordinator.
The top three skills for a recreation director include community resources, therapeutic recreation and nursing home. The most important skills for an activity coordinator are customer service, patients, and CPR.
| Recreation Director | Activity Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $48,525 | $35,309 |
| Hourly rate | $23.33 | $16.98 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 8,479 | 20,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Recreation directors may take part in leading activities like canoeing, wilderness first-aid, rock climbing, camping, and resource management for this dynamic career. Responsibilities include implementation and success assurance of recreation programs, as well as management of schedules for activities and facilities. They also handle the recruitment, training, and supervision of staff and volunteers.
An activity coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities. They generally report to the activity director or community manager. One of their tasks is to collaborate with directors of studies to schedule the activities. Other tasks include coordinating staff with the activities and informing them of the decisions regularly. Also, they strategize, coordinate, and encourage the members to participate in the activities.
Recreation directors and activity coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Director | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $48,525 | $35,309 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $77,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Milpitas, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Downtown United Soccer Club | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a recreation director and an activity coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Director | Activity Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Recreation Management | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation directors' and activity coordinators' demographics:
| Recreation Director | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |