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Recreation programmer vs recreation specialist

The differences between recreation programmers 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 programmer and a recreation specialist. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $37,908 average annual salary of a recreation programmer.

The top three skills for a recreation programmer include CPR, reservations and press releases. The most important skills for a recreation specialist are CPR, customer service, and recreation programs.

Recreation programmer vs recreation specialist overview

Recreation ProgrammerRecreation Specialist
Yearly salary$37,908$39,186
Hourly rate$18.23$18.84
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs10,2903,288
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Recreation programmer vs recreation specialist salary

Recreation programmers and recreation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation ProgrammerRecreation Specialist
Average salary$37,908$39,186
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $57,000Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Loveland, CO
Highest paying state-Mississippi
Best paying company-Harlem Children's Zone
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between recreation programmer and recreation specialist education

There are a few differences between a recreation programmer and a recreation specialist in terms of educational background:

Recreation ProgrammerRecreation Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Recreation programmer vs recreation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between recreation programmers' and recreation specialists' demographics:

Recreation ProgrammerRecreation Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 50.7% Female, 49.3%Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between recreation programmer and recreation specialist duties and responsibilities

Recreation programmer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
  • Direct aquatics program and staff; hire, train, and supervise part-time and seasonal staff.
  • Design and printing of all flyers, brochures, and posters used for event and program marketing.
  • Produce advertising for events, activities and programs via flyers, media and promotion through other events, etc.
  • Provide coaching, instruction, supervision and counseling to participants in aquatics activities and other activities and programs within the center.
  • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
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Recreation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide evidence base intervention to help manage behavior in children diagnose with ADHD.
  • Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities such as bingo cards, machines, and markers.
  • Manage funds and resources to include developing the annual NAF budget, which include submission and prioritization of program component requirements.
  • Manage the maintenance of post MWR relate administrative records and submit program status reports in accordance with establish contractual requirements.
  • Register customers for programs and take facility reservations.
  • Base leadership recognize program for triple increase in membership and decrease in teen relate incidents requiring military police involvement.
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Recreation programmer vs recreation specialist skills

Common recreation programmer skills
  • CPR, 30%
  • Reservations, 11%
  • Press Releases, 8%
  • Wide Events, 8%
  • Flyers, 7%
  • Outdoor Recreation Programs, 5%
Common recreation specialist skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Recreation Programs, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%

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