Post job

Youth leader vs youth director

The differences between youth leaders and youth directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a youth leader, becoming a youth director takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a youth director has an average salary of $44,333, which is higher than the $29,481 average annual salary of a youth leader.

The top three skills for a youth leader include CPR, fine arts and academic enrichment. The most important skills for a youth director are youth program, community outreach, and bible studies.

Youth leader vs youth director overview

Youth LeaderYouth Director
Yearly salary$29,481$44,333
Hourly rate$14.17$21.31
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs31,8517,501
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4548
Years of experience64

What does a youth leader do?

A youth leader is a young individual who is responsible for building a sense of community within the church youth that can provide an opportunity for both spiritual and social development. Youth Leaders organize regular social, educational, and spiritual oriented events with parents and volunteers to maintain a vibrant program. They establish support and appropriate relationships with their youth members and their families. Youth leaders also maintain social media and emails to provide information publicly to youth members about their organized events.

What does a youth director do?

A Youth Director plans and supervises programs and activities for children and adolescents at a church, community outreach organization, or social service program. Another primary duty is to train and oversee volunteers.

Youth leader vs youth director salary

Youth leaders and youth directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Youth LeaderYouth Director
Average salary$29,481$44,333
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $37,000Between $29,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYMilpitas, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaCalifornia
Best paying companyFirst BookProvidence Christian College
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between youth leader and youth director education

There are a few differences between a youth leader and a youth director in terms of educational background:

Youth LeaderYouth Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Youth leader vs youth director demographics

Here are the differences between youth leaders' and youth directors' demographics:

Youth LeaderYouth Director
Average age4548
Gender ratioMale, 45.3% Female, 54.7%Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 2.8% White, 75.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage14%17%

Differences between youth leader and youth director duties and responsibilities

Youth leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead a range of activities from science, mathematics, art, physical education, technology and language arts.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Focuse on community outreach and discovering their passion as well as teaching effective communication skills and leadership development.
  • Develop and teach lessons plans, multimedia and meeting notes using PowerPoint.
  • Bring together skits and PowerPoint presentations to better display the teachings of the mission
  • Supervise and assist FRG volunteers at activity find raisers and family day events.
  • Show more

Youth director example responsibilities.

  • Lead large group program monthly with kids.
  • Manage events including retreats, VBS, mission trips, and local activities.
  • Organize and lead weekly youth group meetings as well as retreats for jr. and sr. high students.
  • Expand discipleship small group ministry.
  • Direct annual summer children's VBS program.
  • Supervise teachers and staff to ensure department run with maximum accuracy.
  • Show more

Youth leader vs youth director skills

Common youth leader skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Fine Arts, 10%
  • Academic Enrichment, 10%
  • Homework Assistance, 10%
  • Youth Development, 7%
  • Core Values, 5%
Common youth director skills
  • Youth Program, 19%
  • Community Outreach, 13%
  • Bible Studies, 6%
  • Event Planning, 6%
  • Youth Development, 4%
  • Teen, 4%

Browse executive management jobs