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The differences between recreation leaders 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 leader and a recreation specialist. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $30,040 average annual salary of a recreation leader.
The top three skills for a recreation leader include CPR, customer service and recreation programs. The most important skills for a recreation specialist are CPR, customer service, and recreation programs.
| Recreation Leader | Recreation Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $30,040 | $39,186 |
| Hourly rate | $14.44 | $18.84 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 35,684 | 3,288 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The primary role of recreation leaders is to encourage recreational and sporting activities in various settings such as schools, parks, and youth centers. Their job requires them to motivate others to work as a team member while also promoting good morals and sportsmanship. They develop recreational and sports programs best suited for their company's client base. Other duties also include advertising the availability of recreational activities, securing funding for special events and projects, and adhering to safety practices.
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 leaders and recreation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Leader | Recreation Specialist | |
| Average salary | $30,040 | $39,186 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Loveland, CO |
| Highest paying state | Nebraska | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Harlem Children's Zone |
| Best paying industry | Government | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a recreation leader and a recreation specialist in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Leader | Recreation Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation leaders' and recreation specialists' demographics:
| Recreation Leader | Recreation Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2% | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% 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% |