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The differences between recreation specialists and recreation supervisors 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 supervisor. Additionally, a recreation supervisor has an average salary of $45,209, 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 supervisor are CPR, recreational facilities, and payroll.
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,186 | $45,209 |
| Hourly rate | $18.84 | $21.74 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,288 | 4,698 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
Recreation Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the operations and service delivery of a recreation program for an organization. Their duties include facilitating the implementation of the recreations program, assist in staff recruitment, scheduling staff roster, developing training sessions, and track employee performance. They manage contracts, conduct community research, perform marketing outreach activities, and serve as a district representative in engaging external parties. Recreational Supervisors also develop marketing materials, coordinate logistic arrangements, monitor inventory, prepare program budgets, and write grant proposals.
Recreation specialists and recreation supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $39,186 | $45,209 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $32,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Loveland, CO | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Harlem Children's Zone | Glen Ellyn Park District |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Government |
There are a few differences between a recreation specialist and a recreation supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 supervisors' demographics:
| Recreation Specialist | Recreation Supervisor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% |
| 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, 12.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |