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The differences between recreation managers and activities/volunteers 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 manager and an activities/volunteer. Additionally, a recreation manager has an average salary of $47,007, which is higher than the $32,875 average annual salary of an activities/volunteer.
The top three skills for a recreation manager include CPR, cleanliness and safety procedures. The most important skills for an activities/volunteer are community resources, senior care, and financial statements.
| Recreation Manager | Activities/Volunteer | |
| Yearly salary | $47,007 | $32,875 |
| Hourly rate | $22.60 | $15.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,137 | 4,126 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Recreation managers create programs at a recreation center for specific people such as the elderly, children, and disabled people. These managers keep communities informed regarding the different excursions, programs, and exhibitions. They advise counselors and administrators on recreation and parks and ways to obtain sponsors. They coordinate and keep records of all activities and events. Their job also includes dealing with issues like being understaffed. They must work with different kinds of people, must have management and organizational abilities, and be physically fit.
An activity volunteer is responsible for supporting community activities for the benefit of the citizens and social development in general. Activity volunteers assist in fundraising activities, coordinating with other organizations for sponsorship, recruiting target audience, planning the program outline, and releasing promotional materials, press releases, and media marketing. Activity volunteers must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on negotiating with suppliers and vendors for the activity materials with minimal costs. They should also be able to address the participants' inquiries and concerns and resolve any issues that may arise during the activity preparation.
Recreation managers and activities/volunteers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Manager | Activities/Volunteer | |
| Average salary | $47,007 | $32,875 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | - |
| Best paying company | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | - |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | - |
There are a few differences between a recreation manager and an activities/volunteer in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Manager | Activities/Volunteer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation managers' and activities/volunteers' demographics:
| Recreation Manager | Activities/Volunteer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 38.0% Female, 62.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |