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Service assistant vs activity assistant

The differences between service assistants and activity assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a service assistant and an activity assistant. Additionally, a service assistant has an average salary of $31,928, which is higher than the $29,611 average annual salary of an activity assistant.

The top three skills for a service assistant include excellent interpersonal, basic math and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for an activity assistant are patients, home health, and rehabilitation.

Service assistant vs activity assistant overview

Service AssistantActivity Assistant
Yearly salary$31,928$29,611
Hourly rate$15.35$14.24
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs69,11525,038
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a service assistant do?

A Service Assistant's responsibility depends on the line of work or industry involved. However, the primary responsibility of a Service Assistant is to respond to a customer's inquiry and offer them assistance, a suggestion, or a solution. Aside from ensuring customer satisfaction, a Service Assistant may also process payments, discuss product information, and sell products or services in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, A Service Assistant needs to keep records of transactions at all times and report to management or supervisors.

What does an activity assistant do?

Activity assistants are the ones who organize and execute activities in different settings, including recreation centers, camps, cruise ships, and retirement or nursing homes. They design programs to encourage physical activity, increase socialization, deliver continuing education, and provide entertainment. They are also the ones who handle logistics, select and demonstrate activities, maintain proper equipment, and ensure the safety of participants. They can work full-time, part-time, or seasonally in different settings depending on the kind of clients that they cater to.

Service assistant vs activity assistant salary

Service assistants and activity assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Service AssistantActivity Assistant
Average salary$31,928$29,611
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiMaine
Best paying companyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterSmithsonian Institution
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between service assistant and activity assistant education

There are a few differences between a service assistant and an activity assistant in terms of educational background:

Service AssistantActivity Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Service assistant vs activity assistant demographics

Here are the differences between service assistants' and activity assistants' demographics:

Service AssistantActivity Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 35.8% Female, 64.2%Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.0% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between service assistant and activity assistant duties and responsibilities

Service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operations including contract management, accounts payable, receivables, payroll and general administrative assistance.
  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
  • Function as part of the trauma team by performing CPR.
  • Set up and maintain CPR certifications for all instructional aids.
  • Review supplies, materials, vendor selection for WIS and NICU.
  • Show more

Activity assistant example responsibilities.

  • Prevent or manage aggressive behavior among individuals and administer CPR in emergency intervention.
  • Coordinate and manage group sessions, including recreational activities for senior citizens and occupational therapy with stroke patients.
  • Assist children with homework assignments, peer mediation, social skills and daily program activities.
  • Plan and execute a variety of enjoyable activities for residents and rehabilitation patients in a safe environment.
  • Post daily to Facebook page and also all waitress duties.
  • Conduct dog walks and in home pet sits with precision.
  • Show more

Service assistant vs activity assistant skills

Common service assistant skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 17%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Math, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%
Common activity assistant skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Home Health, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Senior Care, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Good Judgment, 7%

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