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Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy aide

The differences between recreation therapists and recreational therapy aides can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a recreation therapist and a recreational therapy aide. Additionally, a recreation therapist has an average salary of $55,992, which is higher than the $50,346 average annual salary of a recreational therapy aide.

The top three skills for a recreation therapist include patients, CTRS and mental health. The most important skills for a recreational therapy aide are recreational therapy, patients, and CPR.

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy aide overview

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Aide
Yearly salary$55,992$50,346
Hourly rate$26.92$24.20
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs54,26350,591
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy aide salary

Recreation therapists and recreational therapy aides have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Aide
Average salary$55,992$50,346
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $85,000Between $35,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCottage Health-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between recreation therapist and recreational therapy aide education

There are a few differences between a recreation therapist and a recreational therapy aide in terms of educational background:

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Aide
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 76%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorRehabilitation ScienceRehabilitation Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachDuke University

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy aide demographics

Here are the differences between recreation therapists' and recreational therapy aides' demographics:

Recreation TherapistRecreational Therapy Aide
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 23.9% Female, 76.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between recreation therapist and recreational therapy aide duties and responsibilities

Recreation therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage ventilator care, intubation, arterial line placement, mechanical ventilation, BIPAP, and CPAP.
  • Evaluate assigned patients to assess and document the need for therapeutic recreational interventions in order to attain rehabilitation goals.
  • Obtain ABG samples when need, EKG analysis, and oxygen therapy to patients.
  • Support the CTRS in planning and implementation of in- house events and community outings.
  • Organize and facilitate programs for TBI survivors and their families.
  • Use patient prefer music to apply NMT protocols into sessions.
    • Show more

Recreational therapy aide example responsibilities.

  • Work with MDS coordinator and interview residents for annual MDS sections and care planning.
  • Counsele and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
  • Assist recreation therapists in planning and implementing recreation-base treatment programs to patients.
  • Coordinate rehabilitation practices through recreational activities
  • Perform orthopedic rehabilitation and adolescent psych rehabilitation.
  • Perform orthopedic rehabilitation and adolescent psych rehabilitation.

Recreation therapist vs recreational therapy aide skills

Common recreation therapist skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • CTRS, 11%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • CPR, 4%
Common recreational therapy aide skills
  • Recreational Therapy, 32%
  • Patients, 25%
  • CPR, 12%
  • Compassion, 11%
  • Music Therapy, 9%
  • Therapeutic Recreation Programs, 8%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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