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The differences between recreation specialists and recreation 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 specialist and a recreation coordinator. Additionally, a recreation coordinator has an average salary of $40,777, which is higher than the $39,186 average annual salary of a recreation specialist.
The top three skills for a recreation specialist include CPR, customer service and recreation programs. The most important skills for a recreation coordinator are CPR, therapeutic recreation, and recreation programs.
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $39,186 | $40,777 |
| Hourly rate | $18.84 | $19.60 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,288 | 19,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Typically working for recreation facilities, a recreation coordinator specializes in planning and organizing recreational activities for large groups of individuals. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify the clients' needs, coordinating with teams to conceptualize plans and themes, setting schedules and objectives, liaising with internal and external parties, and monitoring the progress of all operations from planning to conception. Furthermore, as a recreation coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Recreation specialists and recreation coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $39,186 | $40,777 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $30,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Loveland, CO | Casper, WY |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Harlem Children's Zone | Polk County |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Media |
There are a few differences between a recreation specialist and a recreation coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Recreation Management |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between recreation specialists' and recreation coordinators' demographics:
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |