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Recreation specialist vs activities leader

The differences between recreation specialists and activities 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 specialist and an activities leader. Additionally, a recreation specialist has an average salary of $39,186, which is higher than the $30,329 average annual salary of an activities leader.

The top three skills for a recreation specialist include CPR, customer service and recreation programs. The most important skills for an activities leader are CPR, direct supervision, and homework assistance.

Recreation specialist vs activities leader overview

Recreation SpecialistActivities Leader
Yearly salary$39,186$30,329
Hourly rate$18.84$14.58
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs3,28835,544
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a recreation specialist do?

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.

What does an activities leader do?

An activity leader's main duty is to offer sports programs and exercises that are riveting in a positive manner. The activities typically assigned to leaders are the ones they understand for the smooth promotion and planning of events. Usually, hotel resorts and summer camps seasonally employ activity leaders to make time for different exercises throughout the year. Working as an activities leader can also be viewed as a way to practically enhance a person's teaching or coaching skills, leadership and communication skills, and marketing skills when it comes to publicizing upcoming events.

Recreation specialist vs activities leader salary

Recreation specialists and activities leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation SpecialistActivities Leader
Average salary$39,186$30,329
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $53,000Between $20,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityLoveland, COBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMississippiMississippi
Best paying companyHarlem Children's ZoneBayer
Best paying industryHospitalityHealth Care

Differences between recreation specialist and activities leader education

There are a few differences between a recreation specialist and an activities leader in terms of educational background:

Recreation SpecialistActivities Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorKinesiologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Recreation specialist vs activities leader demographics

Here are the differences between recreation specialists' and activities leaders' demographics:

Recreation SpecialistActivities Leader
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 48.7% Female, 51.3%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recreation specialist and activities leader duties and responsibilities

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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Activities leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage security and access policies base upon operational need-to-know and DOD regulations and requirements
  • Train and certify in CPR prior to each summer.
  • Uphold company standard of inventory management and WCM manufacturing principles.
  • Conduct and supervise appropriate programs and activities in a leadership capacity or direct by site supervisor.
  • Develop leadership skills while coordinating and instructing after school educational activities for students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Provide functional subject matter expertise daily technical operational and guidance on DOD and DA standard logistical systems.
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Recreation specialist vs activities leader skills

Common recreation specialist skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Recreation Programs, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common activities leader skills
  • CPR, 24%
  • Direct Supervision, 16%
  • Homework Assistance, 8%
  • Role Model, 7%
  • Physical Stamina, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%

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