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The differences between recreation managers 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 manager and an activity coordinator. Additionally, a recreation manager has an average salary of $47,007, which is higher than the $35,309 average annual salary of an activity coordinator.
The top three skills for a recreation manager include CPR, cleanliness and safety procedures. The most important skills for an activity coordinator are customer service, patients, and CPR.
| Recreation Manager | Activity Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $47,007 | $35,309 |
| Hourly rate | $22.60 | $16.98 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,137 | 20,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 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 managers and activity coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Manager | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $47,007 | $35,309 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | Medical University of South Carolina |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Government |
There are a few differences between a recreation manager and an activity coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Manager | Activity Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation managers' and activity coordinators' demographics:
| Recreation Manager | Activity Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| 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, 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% |