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The differences between recreation specialists and senior counselors 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 senior counselor. Additionally, a senior counselor has an average salary of $127,405, 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 senior counselor are litigation, legal advice, and legal issues.
| Recreation Specialist | Senior Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,186 | $127,405 |
| Hourly rate | $18.84 | $61.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,288 | 28,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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.
The responsibilities of a senior counselor will depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Most of the time, a senior counselor works with the youth, particularly children. They focus on facilitating recreational programs, ensuring a safe and fun experience for them. They may also assess the children's condition and needs, providing them with the necessary assistance and guidance. Furthermore, when a senior counselor must reach out to parents and guardians, they may inform them of any concerns or progress.
Recreation specialists and senior counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Specialist | Senior Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,186 | $127,405 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $81,000 And $200,000 |
| Highest paying City | Loveland, CO | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Mississippi | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Harlem Children's Zone | Crowell & Moring |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | - |
There are a few differences between a recreation specialist and a senior counselor in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Specialist | Senior Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Law |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between recreation specialists' and senior counselors' demographics:
| Recreation Specialist | Senior Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.7% Female, 51.3% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| 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, 13.5% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |