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The differences between recreation directors and sports directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a recreation director, becoming a sports director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a sports director has an average salary of $61,211, which is higher than the $48,525 average annual salary of a recreation director.
The top three skills for a recreation director include community resources, therapeutic recreation and nursing home. The most important skills for a sports director are soccer, CPR, and softball.
| Recreation Director | Sports Director | |
| Yearly salary | $48,525 | $61,211 |
| Hourly rate | $23.33 | $29.43 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 8,479 | 13,106 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
Sports directors update the management about anything relating to sports. They participate in strategic planning and policy-making as needed by the management. Besides preparing, monitoring, and updating yearly departments plans after consulting their colleagues, sports directors also manage daily administrative tasks like keeping accurate records, arranging sports fixtures and departmental timetables, and ensuring departmental efficiency. These professionals supervise the development teams, academy teams, training ground environment, and performance departments, including sports science and medical science.
Recreation directors and sports directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Director | Sports Director | |
| Average salary | $48,525 | $61,211 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $77,000 | Between $33,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | Milpitas, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Downtown United Soccer Club | Univision Holdings, Inc. |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a recreation director and a sports director in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Director | Sports Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Recreation Management | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation directors' and sports directors' demographics:
| Recreation Director | Sports Director | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 14% |