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Recreation supervisor vs activity coordinator

The differences between recreation supervisors and activity 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 supervisor and an activity coordinator. Additionally, a recreation supervisor has an average salary of $45,209, which is higher than the $35,309 average annual salary of an activity coordinator.

The top three skills for a recreation supervisor include CPR, recreational facilities and payroll. The most important skills for an activity coordinator are customer service, patients, and CPR.

Recreation supervisor vs activity coordinator overview

Recreation SupervisorActivity Coordinator
Yearly salary$45,209$35,309
Hourly rate$21.74$16.98
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs4,69820,364
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a recreation supervisor do?

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.

What does an activity coordinator do?

An activity coordinator is someone who creates and plans activities, outings, and events in various settings. Typically, they oversee creating programs, staffing events, and supervising the implementation of activities. They generally report to the activity director or community manager. One of their tasks is to collaborate with directors of studies to schedule the activities. Other tasks include coordinating staff with the activities and informing them of the decisions regularly. Also, they strategize, coordinate, and encourage the members to participate in the activities.

Recreation supervisor vs activity coordinator salary

Recreation supervisors and activity coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation SupervisorActivity Coordinator
Average salary$45,209$35,309
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $62,000Between $28,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKWashington, DC
Highest paying stateAlaskaMississippi
Best paying companyGlen Ellyn Park DistrictMedical University of South Carolina
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between recreation supervisor and activity coordinator education

There are a few differences between a recreation supervisor and an activity coordinator in terms of educational background:

Recreation SupervisorActivity Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorRecreation ManagementPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachDuke University

Recreation supervisor vs activity coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between recreation supervisors' and activity coordinators' demographics:

Recreation SupervisorActivity Coordinator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 56.2% Female, 43.8%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between recreation supervisor and activity coordinator duties and responsibilities

Recreation supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage recreation staff and programming for assist living and rehabilitation and skil nursing facilities.
  • Manage activity and progress reports including statistical data require by regulators, initial assessments, MDS and IDC documentation.
  • Open, close and run swim center.
  • Use of POS system for food and beverage sales
  • Develop plans and provide oversight for detailing and finishing work.
  • Start as a lifeguard, monitoring swimmers and waders for safety reason.
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Activity coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage safety accident reports and ensure that all staff is CPR and a certified.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Direct and implement recreational programs, including adult and youth sports, aquatics, community center and special events.
  • Assist clients in reaching their ISP goals.
  • Specialize with the ADL's for residents with dementia.
  • Assist clients with personal care or ADL's as needed.
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Recreation supervisor vs activity coordinator skills

Common recreation supervisor skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Recreational Facilities, 11%
  • Payroll, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
  • Front Desk, 3%
  • Performance Evaluations, 3%
Common activity coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Patients, 20%
  • CPR, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 3%
  • Memory Care, 3%
  • Front Desk, 3%

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