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The differences between recreation managers and recreation leaders 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 a recreation leader. Additionally, a recreation manager has an average salary of $47,007, which is higher than the $30,040 average annual salary of a recreation leader.
The top three skills for a recreation manager include CPR, cleanliness and safety procedures. The most important skills for a recreation leader are CPR, customer service, and recreation programs.
| Recreation Manager | Recreation Leader | |
| Yearly salary | $47,007 | $30,040 |
| Hourly rate | $22.60 | $14.44 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,137 | 35,684 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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.
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.
Recreation managers and recreation leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Manager | Recreation Leader | |
| Average salary | $47,007 | $30,040 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $70,000 | Between $23,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Nebraska |
| Best paying company | St. John's Episcopal Hospital | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Government |
There are a few differences between a recreation manager and a recreation leader in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Manager | Recreation Leader | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between recreation managers' and recreation leaders' demographics:
| Recreation Manager | Recreation Leader | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0% | Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2% |
| 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, 10.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |