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Volunteer vs coordinator

The differences between volunteers and coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a volunteer and a coordinator. Additionally, a coordinator has an average salary of $41,599, which is higher than the $31,227 average annual salary of a volunteer.

The top three skills for a volunteer include child care, patient charts and patient care. The most important skills for a coordinator are customer service, patients, and excellent organizational.

Volunteer vs coordinator overview

VolunteerCoordinator
Yearly salary$31,227$41,599
Hourly rate$15.01$20.00
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs9,583151,508
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a volunteer do?

Volunteers are usually unpaid individuals who render their service to a company or organization. Most of the time, volunteers are skilled in specific areas needed by the organization but prefer to provide free service. They may be employed in another organization, but they lend their time and talent to another organization or company to give back to the community. They raise funds, create awareness, and work on the ground. Volunteers usually choose a cause or advocacy close to their heart, such as teaching children, taking care of the elderly, coaching sports teams, cleaning up communities, and caring for animals.

What does a coordinator do?

Coordinators are responsible for liaising between the department they are assigned to and any other external party. They oversee projects or agreements. They are in charge of following through negotiations between the two parties regarding work. They see through the conduct of such contracts by ensuring that all terms are amenable to both parties. They maintain records and other necessary data and paperwork. They also ensure that office policy and guidelines are being followed. Coordinators also ensure that all projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Volunteer vs coordinator salary

Volunteers and coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

VolunteerCoordinator
Average salary$31,227$41,599
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $41,000Between $27,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between volunteer and coordinator education

There are a few differences between a volunteer and a coordinator in terms of educational background:

VolunteerCoordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonUniversity of Southern California

Volunteer vs coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between volunteers' and coordinators' demographics:

VolunteerCoordinator
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 36.0% Female, 64.0%Male, 36.3% Female, 63.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 7.3% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between volunteer and coordinator duties and responsibilities

Volunteer example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage web presence, including Facebook account and other social media business accounts!
  • Train staff members on managing contacts, scheduling programs, and running analytic reports with the Salesforce program.
  • Lead team-building exercises and facilitate group discussions on leadership topics.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Supervise and maintain safe play for children's soccer games.
  • Teach GED to refugees and survivors of torture seeking to enroll in college.
  • Show more

Coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Conduct kaizen blitz in the machine shop that achieve higher productivity and efficiency gains.
  • Manage documented records of meetings and contact with Pre-K teachers to discuss relevant information concerning children and families.
  • Manage and coordinate the workload of the release team members and are responsible for organizing and hosting all production release windows.
  • Manage IDT roster and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
  • Provide leadership development opportunities for youth and lead community events and activities for the community.
  • Facilitate development of veterans individual rehabilitation plans, which provide purpose, organization and empowerment to achieve life goals.
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Volunteer vs coordinator skills

Common volunteer skills
  • Child Care, 12%
  • Patient Charts, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Front Desk, 9%
  • Community Outreach, 9%
  • Mathematics, 9%
Common coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Excellent Organizational, 7%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Excellent Guest, 5%
  • Coordinators, 4%

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