Salary Range For Activity Directors

[Guest pAT w.]

IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE WHEN YOUR 21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS NOT RESPECTED BY CTR PERSONAL. tHERAPEUTIC RECS THAT I HAVE MET IN OHIO , HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WORKING IN LONG TERM CARE. SOME HAVE TO GO BACK AND LEARN THE DOCUMENTATION.

[mashonda 0]

IT IS A SLAP IN THE FACE WHEN YOUR 21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS NOT RESPECTED BY CTR PERSONAL. tHERAPEUTIC RECS THAT I HAVE MET IN OHIO , HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WORKING IN LONG TERM CARE. SOME HAVE TO GO BACK AND LEARN THE DOCUMENTATION.

Hi Pat,

 

I read your post and although I am a CTRS, I would have to agree with you. From a TR perspective, when I was in school, we were taught some aspects of LTC, but not a great deal about it. It can be quite difficult for TRS in LTC. I think this is because we are taught the therapy end of TR instead of the diversional activity end of it, which, sad to say most activity departments in LTC are about diversional activities or geared more towards the leisure aspect instead of the therapy aspect.

 

Also, to the unregistered poster Shoequeen from Raleigh. I'm in wilson and would be interested in talking with you sometimes. It's rare to find someone on the message board so close. My personal email address is Mashondas@hotmail.com and my work email is msimmons@avantegroup.com

[Guest Guest_Alexandra]

I work in a 140 bed facility and I make 8.65 per hour. I live in TX; been a certified AD for 4 years!

[Guest Guest]

I am in South C. I have been an Act. Dir for 9 years and earn alittle over $11 per hour.

[Guest Gj]

I happen to agree with all you girls/guys when it comes to activity pay scale. It does depend on where you are from and the cost of living. However, the small amount of pay you get for the large amount of work you put into it or stress you get out of it is rediculous. It isn't paying my bills or putting food on my table. Also how unapprecieated we are. I hate it when someone says, "Oh, I thought you did that job to." Or, " All I see you do is play, You have the easy job." Then the Adm. gives you a lower raiting on your evaluation then you know you deserve, therefore giving you a lesser raise than you deserve. I have been doing this for 10 years and it is the most apprecieated job that I have experienced. But the residents make it all worth while. They capture my heart.

Gj

[Guest gj]

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.

you are right one should get of their duff and stop whning about the job. It is easy to say when one makes 22. an hr. Most Activities Directors give their all including quality activites as well as shop for the res. and the phycility, as well as use your own money to buy what we think the phycility can't afford. I have spoke to several corperate leaders and have been informed that the company can afford the little extras we need for the residents parties, special days. etc....

The saddest part about the whole thing is I don't normaly get a pat on the back for ALL I do for my residents. Even though I love my residents with all my heart. I would rather my boss show his/her appreciation in my check.

[Guest Guest]

I have been an activity director for over 20 years and make $17.00 and hour but when you are salaried it does not amount to that! I drive the bus, run Dr. Appts., write the newsletter, help cover the receptionist for lunch daily, make employee badges and the list goes on and on. I am currently looking for a career change. We are not appreciated for all we do!

[mguise 0]

;-) Hi I'm new here and I work in a 98 bed facility 14 empty beds right now I have one part-time[30 PER WK} I make 11:50 an hour I work about 45 hours Oh yea 20 of thoes beds are rest home beds Bye Mary

[Guest Lark]

I make $10.50 an hour in Florida as an Activity Assistant. I got the $.50 raise after I had worked for a year. That was considered higher than most. I work in Florida. Obviously, this is a low paying profession.

[Guest Guest]

In NC my assistant started three years ago at $11.

[Guest Guest_Angel]

my name is angel i live in la i make 6.00 an hour not much

[mizncg8r 0]

Hello everyone, I live in lower Tampa Bay Area, i work in Sarasota. I am an AD and make $16 an hour. I am currently 4 positions down. My staff when I get them will make anywere from $8-$9.24 an hour depending on their expirence. I am trying to get this changed. I find people who have expirence but will not take the positions unless it pays over $11. Those who will take the pay will not work any nights or weekends. Take care all, Tracy

[Melete 0]

i live in australia here we are paid under the charitable award. i am in my eighth year and earn $15.57 an hr. my working title is Recreational Activity Officer. sounds about eqal to what you classify as an assistant.

[Melete 0]

my name is angel i live in la i make 6.00 an hour not much

you are right it isn't much..you deserve so much more. i hope you get it

[Cfcindykay 0]

I am in AZ, working at a Community Center that offers activities before and after lunch and a lunch program. I started last year a $9.25 an hour and recently got a raise to $9.53. I only get 30 hrs. a week, I do have medical insurance but no dental or eye ins., no paid time off ie: vacations, sick time, holidays and am feeling frustrated with no opportunity of advancement. I have graduated from high school, have some college, and over ten years in experience as an activity professional. Does anyone know of any education that is online that you could direct me to and any suggestions on how to make more money and get more benefits.

[Guest Stacie Millette]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone work for Holiday Retirement Corp? After 3 yrs my wage is $12.10.

:hammer:

[Guest Ricky]

17 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HEALTH CARE SETTING, B.S DEGREE, NCCAP (ADC-CERTIFIED), CTRA, AND CERTIFICATION IN PARKS & RECREATION.

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA-180 BED FACILITY, SNF

 

SALARY $22.50/PER HOUR

 

NEGOTIATE YOUR SALARIES... WE'RE TOO UNDERPAID MOST OF THE TIME.

 

DON'T TAKE WHAT THEY GIVE YOU..ASK FOR MORE, NEGOTIATE WHAT YOU ARE WORTH IT.

 

DURING MY INTERVIEW THEY OFFER ME ONLY $17.50 AND I SAID NO!!!

 

THEY CALL ME ONE HOUR LATER, AND GAVE ME WHAT I ASK FOR!!!

[Guest Guest_patbush]

How much you get paid also depends on what company you work for. I know that on company I worked for paid 18.00 a hour and the other 11.00 hour, It depend on weather or not the company really know's that Activities bring in more clients..

Because if I had to put my love one in a nursing home I would want them to have somethng to do daily { 3 or 4 things a day } not just Bingo

[valong 0]

:-( I love my residents and on my avaluations I got 98% last year 100% which is great but I still only make $11.90 hour. I am in Paris, Texas small town but I do way more than just activities. My residents all look to me for everything. What should I do about pay??

[Guest Guest]

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.

you are right one should get of their duff and stop whning about the job. It is easy to say when one makes 22. an hr. Most Activities Directors give their all including quality activites as well as shop for the res. and the phycility, as well as use your own money to buy what we think the phycility can't afford. I have spoke to several corperate leaders and have been informed that the company can afford the little extras we need for the residents parties, special days. etc....

The saddest part about the whole thing is I don't normaly get a pat on the back for ALL I do for my residents. Even though I love my residents with all my heart. I would rather my boss show his/her appreciation in my check.

Hello,

I just wanted to say that much of what you are saying is so true, however when you are not paid what you feel like you are worth then sometimes you get discouraged. This does not have anything to do with the way to feel about your over all job or resident's it is how you feel about Administration and the Corporate office. For some of us like myself that are State and Nationally Certified and go above and beyond to keep up with not only State Regulation, but our facility policy and procedures it is a little frustrating to hear someone that is not even certified to make it sound like there are no worries and that all is well. With that said to those of you that are doing a wonderful job and receiving the pay that is deserved

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! and for those of you that are not certified just remember we were once in your shoes and it takes just alittle extra effort on your part to complete the necessary classes and then you will get paid what most Certified Directors get paid. Activities is no longer about having that easy paying job where you can just sit down, play bingo and eat food all day.....

 

Yours Truly, Jamie

[Guest Guest_CROWKISS]

 

I WAS EMPLOYED AS A DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES IN AN ASSITED LIVING COMMUNITY, AND I WAS MAKING 16.00 HR.........STILL AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED, UNDERPAID...WAYYYYYYYYY UNDERPAID.......

 

THEY DONT REALLY CARE ABOUT THE RESIDENTS, ONLY THEIR POCKETS.....

 

I LEFT THERE.....COULD NOT TAKE IT ANYMORE........I MISS THE RESIDENTS...

 

HORRIBLE LIFE THEY HAVE SOMETIMES, WE ARE THE ONLY THING THAT MAKES THEIR LIFE'S BRITE...........

 

ALWAYS.......................THE CROW

[Guest Guest_Fran]

Is there any AD that is paid a salary rather then paid by the hour, and how much do you get paid salary wise.

[mashonda 0]

I am salaried and I work in north carolina. I am also a TR. When I first started about 10 years ago without any certification at all, (was waiting to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam), I was barely making $21,000/yr. Now after all the years and still having my certification I barely make over $30,000. This is definately not the field to work in if you're planning on getting rich. I'm starting to get burned out and frustrated. In the process of changing career fields. Hope this answered your question.

[radkins 0]

I'm in Wisconsin, have been in my facility as AD for 23 years. I've been salaried most of the time that I've been here, started out at about $12,500, currently at just under $40,000. I am certified and have a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy as well as 6 grad credits in psychology... sometimes I find it frustrating that a teacher with very little experience working 9 months of the year makes more than I do in this town.

[bigchris 1]

One issue that I run into in my various travels is this....

 

In GA, there is no set value for activity directors. This happens for many reasons, and I will include the main ones that I hear.

 

I welcome any feedback.

 

1) Profit vs. Non Profit- NORMALLY- Non profits pay more.

2) If the AD is in a management role or not.

3) Size of facility

4) Area in which the facility is located. Metro area pays more due to higher cost of living.

5) Experience/Certification