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Summer counselor vs recreation assistant

The differences between summer counselors and recreation assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a summer counselor and a recreation assistant. Additionally, a recreation assistant has an average salary of $31,040, which is higher than the $25,176 average annual salary of a summer counselor.

The top three skills for a summer counselor include child care, kids and leadership. The most important skills for a recreation assistant are customer service, MDS, and recreation programs.

Summer counselor vs recreation assistant overview

Summer CounselorRecreation Assistant
Yearly salary$25,176$31,040
Hourly rate$12.10$14.92
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs30,7024,088
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Summer counselor vs recreation assistant salary

Summer counselors and recreation assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Summer CounselorRecreation Assistant
Average salary$25,176$31,040
Salary rangeBetween $16,000 And $37,000Between $20,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Barnstable Town, MA
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-National Park Foundation
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between summer counselor and recreation assistant education

There are a few differences between a summer counselor and a recreation assistant in terms of educational background:

Summer CounselorRecreation Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Summer counselor vs recreation assistant demographics

Here are the differences between summer counselors' and recreation assistants' demographics:

Summer CounselorRecreation Assistant
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 43.3% Female, 56.7%Male, 40.9% Female, 59.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between summer counselor and recreation assistant duties and responsibilities

Summer counselor example responsibilities.

  • Educate campers to manage their diabetes independently bypracticing in team excercises.
  • Help teachers with daily activities and make sure everything run smoothly as each day proceed.
  • Coordinate with other counselors to maintain camp cleanliness, and make sure that the campers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
  • Maintain general cleanliness of facilities and campground.
  • Motivate participants in succeeding at academics, leadership abilities, team building, and relationships
  • Maintain and ensure cleanliness of areas to uphold USPH and Disney standards.

Recreation assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage one-on-one and group social and physical sessions with long-term nursing and short-term rehabilitation residents
  • Assist multiple MWR facilities with the upkeep, accountability and sanitation of workout and rehabilitation equipment.
  • Respond to emergency situation and administering first aid and CPR when need.
  • Assist in the setup and operation of major MWR events, such as Oktoberfest and fund raising concerts.
  • Coordinate large events/gatherings in accordance with MWR procedures, including reserving special locations, food & beverage and entertainment.
  • Conduct therapeutic groups such as ADL skills, team building, self expression and skill building amongst all age groups.
  • Show more

Summer counselor vs recreation assistant skills

Common summer counselor skills
  • Child Care, 30%
  • Kids, 28%
  • Leadership, 11%
  • Youth Ages, 10%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Role Model, 4%
Common recreation assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • MDS, 16%
  • Recreation Programs, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%

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