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The differences between recreation therapists and recreation coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a recreation therapist, becoming a recreation coordinator takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a recreation therapist has an average salary of $55,992, which is higher than the $40,777 average annual salary of a recreation coordinator.
The top three skills for a recreation therapist include patients, CTRS and mental health. The most important skills for a recreation coordinator are CPR, therapeutic recreation, and recreation programs.
| Recreation Therapist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $55,992 | $40,777 |
| Hourly rate | $26.92 | $19.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 54,263 | 19,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
A recreation therapist is responsible for supporting the patients' physical and mental wellness by organizing therapeutic programs and activities, depending on the patients' condition and existing treatment plans. Recreation therapists work with other medical health professionals for advice and medication needs. They also track the patients' progress, maintain a medical chart, and report any updates to the physicians and patients' family members. A recreation therapist manages the resources and materials for the activities and ensures the safety and security of the participants.
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 therapists and recreation coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Recreation Therapist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $55,992 | $40,777 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $85,000 | Between $30,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Casper, WY |
| Highest paying state | California | Mississippi |
| Best paying company | Cottage Health | Polk County |
| Best paying industry | Education | Media |
There are a few differences between a recreation therapist and a recreation coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Recreation Therapist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Rehabilitation Science | Recreation Management |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between recreation therapists' and recreation coordinators' demographics:
| Recreation Therapist | Recreation Coordinator | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5% | Male, 46.2% Female, 53.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 9% | 8% |