Salary Range For Activity Directors

[Merry 0]

Hi,

Here in south east kansas we are more like texas i guess, Activity Director makes about $10.00 while assistants make $6.50 - $ 7.00 (VERY UNDER PAID) for what we do, If you do your job well, you will never get what you are truley worth, but if you love what your doing thats worth its weight in gold !

Merry

Parsons KS

[Guest Celeste58]

Well fellow Act Pros,

I am going to have to tell you that I feel REALLY BLESSED to be working at my facility. Especially after reading some of your e-mails. I work in DC at a 261 bed facility. I am the Director making 22 an hour; the Act Coordinator makes 15.50 and hour, there are five Act Specialists who make 11 an hour and one Assistant who makes 10 an hour.

We all work really hard at keeping our documentation in order and providing a myriad of meaningful events for our residents. In our facility, our CNA's help us a lot in transporting residents back and forth to activities. No, we don't get everyone that we want down, but it's a lot more than if we had to do it ourselves.

During special events, all disciplines are asked to help in transporting including Administration.

This work we do is a ministry of love. Even when we were being paid less, the quality of our work did not suffer. I have found that proving how much Activities is needed, and proving how more staff will help in that issue has worked for me. I use statistics in my reports to let my Administrator know what needs to improve and how we can acheive it.

Believe me, my department has come from having only three members to eight. We came from having a 60% doumentation compliance rate to 96%. And my Administrator has seen what more staff, supplies, etc will do. (An eight year process) Not only does Activities increase our residents quality if life, but it makes for happier families too. Which in turn is an excellent marketing tool for your facility. Our Family Council will do anything for us because they see the love we spread and the quality work we do.

Stop complaining and do something!!!!! If you are NOT in this profession to increase quality of life then maybe you are in the wrong profession. If more of us became Certified (I'm working on MEPAP 2) then we as Activitiy Professionals would be taken more seriously. Have you talked with your Administrators? Have you given them meaningful activities to observe?

Well, I also sure that the cost of living in your area has a lot to do with how much you make as well. I'm going get off of my soap box. But, try some of my suggestions. it might work. In the mean time, remember that you are in this for the residents, to increase their quality of life, not fill your pockets.

[Guest Guest]

Hey All,

 

I just wanted everyone to know the messages posted by the CNA I have deleted off.

Since s/he would not register but signed in as guest goes to show that s/he is probably a very unhappy person on the job & probably in their home life. We have all gone to the break room or outside to have a cig. & there is someone mouthing off, trying to stir up stuff, petty things. Most people don't enjoy hearing this constant complaing it just makes for misable day & work enviroment. These negative vibes are felt by others, staff, family members, residents etc. It makes the facility look bad.

I have very little time or patience for people like this.

I know that just about all of us work as a team & respect each other no matter their postion.

So now AD's let carry on with the orignal topic here of money, money, money ;-)

P

:-o 8-) :cry: :roll: :evil: :-D

[ElleNOLA 0]

Hi,

I have just received a promotion to Activity Director of my facility. I need to present my desired salary and was hoping to get some input. I live in the south and have a B.S. degree in psychology, I am NCCAP certified and working towards my masters in geriatric health promotion. Looking for so comparables if you don't mind.

Thanks,

Elle

[StacieO 0]

Elle:

Congrats on your new position, I'm sure you'll make a great DOA! I work in rural MN, 57 bed facility attached to a hospital. I have a 4 year degree in Recreation Thereapy (so I'm a CTRS) & have been at my facility for almost 10 years. I started here in 1995 at $10/hour!!!!! I'm currently making $18.61/hour. I feel that I am well paid for where I am located geographically & I am well paid for what I do. I am the only CTRS working in LTC in a 40 mile radius. I also know that there are only 2 other DOA's that are paid more in our area as they have been at their facilities longer. My admin. always does a wage comparison when it comes time for reviews/evals. He's never given me less than 2% & never more than 3%. Check w/ area LTC facilities where you are located for a comparison.

[wonytineres 0]

Elle,

 

Congratulations on your promotion to AD; I am sure you will love your new position. I work in a Senior Community in Southern Wisconsin; we have independent living apartments, an assisted living center, a memory unit and a 94 bed skilled nursing facility. I have a 4 year degree in Recreational Therapy-CTRS, I have worked here for 2 years and have been a director for 17. My salary is $25.50 an hour. My last position was as director of activities at a 121 bed skilled nursing facility; corporate owned; my salary there was $16.50 an hour, after working there for 3 years. I agree with Stacie be sure to check with area LTC facilities who offer similiar services. My situation is unique because of the size of our campus. Best of luck in your new role!

[Braydon 0]

Hi, I am currently working in CA, and I may be spoiled, I'm not sure, but I just got promoted a week or so ago, with no prior background, and I was started at $18/hour. So maybe shoot for the stars!

[Guest JodyB]

To StacieO and wonytineres:

 

You make great wages as I can see. I too work in rural southern MN, a CTRS and ACC through NCCAP, with almost 24 years experience. We have skilled, a locked Unit, Independent living and are in the process of fund raising for Assisted Living and I only make a few cents more than StacieO. We are a large facility (more beds than either of your facilities) as well. What town are you 2 from?

[StacieO 0]

Jody:

I work in Granite Falls & live north of Montevideo (just moved to the farm!). Anyway, I would love to hear where you are at, as I don't know of any CTRS's in LTC near me! I know in the Marshall area there are, but I understood that they were working in mental health. I believe there is one in Willmar, too, but I can't be too sure. The other two DOA's that I was referring to are north of GF. We have a group of Director's that meets in Redwood Falls, as part of MN SWAP. Are you part of a group? If not, come & join us! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful day we're having here today! 8-)

[wonytineres 0]

JodyB. & Stacie O.

I work in Janesville Wisconsin; which is located about 50 miles from Madison WI. You will find quite a few CTRS in this area along with Music Therapists and Art Therapists. In fact, two of my assistants have their degrees in Music Therapy and one in Art Therapy. The job market in this area is quite competitive. Most AD in this area have a 4 year degree in either rec., art, music or occupational therapy. I maintain my national membership for my CTRS however I have found that I gain the most job relevant info. by attending the state and regional actiivity professional organization meetings/workshops.

[Guest JodyB]

StacieO and wonytineres---

 

If you want, post your e-mails and lets correspond that way instead of this message board. Always great to network. Yes I belong to SWAP but would be in Region 7 and go to the meetings in Austin. I think you are quite a bit North but need to look at a map. I agree the state conferences (at least in MN) are excellent and that is primarily how I maintain my CTRS certification too. Have a great day.

[Guest Guest]

My email address is wonytineres@hotmail.com. I look forward to corresponding with anyone from the group. And... just to share, I took a group of residents from our skilled nursing out to the mall today and gosh am I exhausted!!! Sometimes outings are just incredibly tiring.

[Guest Shiva H]

Hi,

 

I am an S.A.D (social service and activity director) in N.E. Texas. Have been doing this for 6 months, I have a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma in Psychology and working on my masters as well. But I am on salary but make only $10 an hour when all is said and done.

 

Shiva :cry:

[niquee11 0]

Hi! Sounds like everyone is being compensated for very well for the most part! I work in NY and work at an assisted living home making $15/hr as the Coordinator, and the psych unit at a hospital as a recreational therapist part time making $19/hr. I am ADC certified by NCCAP and am going for my CDP (Certified Dementia Practitioner). My goal is to finally become a CTRS by the end of this year! For those of you currently CTRS, does your facility consider this as a plus in terms of wages?

[Guest JodyB]

Good morning everyone!

 

My facility, although requires a CTRS d/t the size, does not necessarily compensate for the credentials. Again, I'm told it's primarily mandated by the state as to how much the Administrator can approve for wages.

[StacieO 0]

I replied earlier as to what I was making... But - our facility does not require that I am a CTRS or that I maintain my certification (I would be considered a TRS). That is something that I feel is important for myself. My administrator does take into consideration that I do have a 4 year degree & that I maintain my certification. I negotiated this year to have the facility pay my yearly maintance fee to NCTRC. He also is mindful that I have a certain number of CEU's to aquire through out the 5 year cycle of my certification & has never to me no when I've requested a workshop. I'm a public employee, so I have good retirement & good health insurance for myself (don't cover my family, too costly & that is something our facility is also working on). On average, I end up w/ almost 4 weeks of vacation a year & plus sick leave that continues to build year after year. So - those are also things I consider when I think about my wages.

[Guest JodyB]

StacieO made me think of some additional things. My administrator is also pretty good about having the facility pay for workshops as well as my annual CTRS fee. I do have good PTO benefits although our health insurance coverage isn't very good. But, again that isn't something the Administrator can change. It's this whole issue of not getting a raise going on for the 3rd year in a row d/t state budget cuts. Very frustrating/disappointing. :cry:

[StacieO 0]

I can understand your frustrations about no salary increase! We're fortunate here, we are attached to a Critical Access Hospital & therefore, our Board of Directors has been able to give cost of living increases every year for the past 4 years. Makes for less grumblings of employees. Some of the increases range from 1 - 4%, depending on which department. For expamle, a couple of years ago, we basically hired 3 out of 4 radiology staff & to get those employees to come, the wage had been increase, so this year when they did increases, those techs only got 2%. They were ok w/ it, as they know they are above average for our size/location.

[Guest Karen Connelly]

I work in Texas and have my Texas Certification for TR and have been working in the field for over ten years. I am also a author for ppandp.com. In my past activity director positions I made $15 a hour. I believe that is not enough. I know AD's that were making more than me. You need to just ask for what you think you deserve, and assess the cost of living in your state.

[Guest Guest_kimmyh]

:-o I am in the deep south, my state only requires a 8 day course to get certified. However I also have an associates degree in marketing. When my administrator found this out she started sending me out monthly to do marketing at our local hospitals. So now I am the Activity Director and the acting marketing rep. I am also in charge of all employee birthdays, departmental appreciation months and cigarette distribution. I make 8.60 an hour, raise is a month past due.

[Guest Fun4All]

I'm a coordinator at an assisted living in central NJ. I have 50 residents all Alz. I had no prior experience but I do have a BA in the arts. I'm making 14$ an hour. My benefits are terrible.

[Guest Guest_leslie]

Hi my name is leslie and i have no prior experience andI'm makeing 13.00 an hr i would love to become certified but i can't find anywhere in Massachusetts

[Guest agz]

i am currently an AD for a 145 bed facility, 45 of who are psych patients. Basically I devise activities for 2 levels of care excluding my sensory events. I am awaiting my NCCAP cert, have a college degree that is unrelated but I am also taking CEU's in a community college (which will eventually lead me to the nursing profession should i decide to change routes). I am making 17.30 on salary with very limited benefits, just been evaluated with a 5% increase...so I am thankful. I know of NCCAP-certified making more though..at least 38-40 k per annum.

[Guest Guest_Cheryl]

I am an Activity Director in a 38 bed nursing and rehab center in MA. I am a certified medical assistant, have a A.S. in physical therapy and a B.S. in communication disorders. I am also an ADPC and will be fully certified in a few months. I make $10.50 an hour with limited benefits. Seems like most AD's in my area make more than me, but I've only been working here under 1 year.

[shells 0]

Hi, i have never posted but read the posts from time to time. I am feeling very unappreciated at my facility after reading what everyone else makes. I work in Assisted Living and have been there for 6 yrs. I started in nursing homes however. I only make 14.00 an hour, and have been thinking about moving on. We have 60 residents and i am the only act. staff. As the activity and volunteer coordinator i do it all. Thank God for volunteers, but what i am saying is that my company only has me to do anything and everything in the act. dept. I wouldn't complain, but last year i got a 35 cent raise. I don't ever get to go to any continuing ed, and the few times i did ask was told that i would have to pay. EEk. Maybe i should go back to nursing homes? I did have the activity course, and could get certified but didn't need to for assisted living. Am really wanting to relocate to florida and should probly just get out of assisted living from what i am reading. Thanks for letting me participate. Shells