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Administrative assistant/communications vs administrative associate

The differences between administrative assistants/communications and administrative associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an administrative assistant/communications and an administrative associate. Additionally, an administrative assistant/communications has an average salary of $35,363, which is higher than the $34,873 average annual salary of an administrative associate.

The top three skills for an administrative assistant/communications include data entry, powerpoint and provides administrative support. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.

Administrative assistant/communications vs administrative associate overview

Administrative Assistant/CommunicationsAdministrative Associate
Yearly salary$35,363$34,873
Hourly rate$17.00$16.77
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs63,39954,499
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does an administrative assistant/communications do?

An administrative assistant for communications is responsible for handling administrative duties to ensure that corporate communications and announcements are disseminated across the organization and media platforms appropriately. Administrative assistants for communications review documents and files to check for accuracy and conduct revisions as needed before publication. They also manage media relations, create promotional campaigns, and coordinate with clients for any important updates regarding business performance. An administrative assistant for communications must be highly reliable and organizational to work under minimal supervision and meet strict deadlines.

What does an administrative associate do?

An administrative associate is responsible for performing various tasks such as handling and processing paperwork, attending meetings and preparing minutes, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, keeping accurate records, updating databases, and monitoring the company's financial activities. They also communicate with various department personnel, ensuring coordination should any important matter would arise. Furthermore, as an administrative associate, they are in charge of procuring supplies, implementing company policies, and supporting any staff members if needed.

Administrative assistant/communications vs administrative associate salary

Administrative assistants/communications and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Administrative Assistant/CommunicationsAdministrative Associate
Average salary$35,363$34,873
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $44,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyNorthrop GrummanLord Abbett
Best paying industryNon ProfitsFinance

Differences between administrative assistant/communications and administrative associate education

There are a few differences between an administrative assistant/communications and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:

Administrative Assistant/CommunicationsAdministrative Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityWestern Carolina University

Administrative assistant/communications vs administrative associate demographics

Here are the differences between administrative assistants/communications' and administrative associates' demographics:

Administrative Assistant/CommunicationsAdministrative Associate
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 17.4% Female, 82.6%Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between administrative assistant/communications and administrative associate duties and responsibilities

Administrative assistant/communications example responsibilities.

  • Manage department's intranet through SharePoint.
  • Manage all employee payroll records/files and process all accounts payable/receivable.
  • Manage and coordinate complex internal and external meetings and/or events via videoconferencing, WebEx and teleconference calls.
  • Perform full-charge bookkeeping functions - accounts payable, account receivable, bank account reconciliation, payroll and payroll taxes.
  • Implement strategies that integrate IntraConnect with SharePoint intranet and collaboration.
  • Create executive PowerPoint presentations and develop campaigns for campus broadcasting system.
  • Show more

Administrative associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage consultants' calendar, arrange travel, paid bills via QuickBooks software.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Enter invoices in QuickBooks and P2P.
  • Fulfill medical record requests from patients, providers and insurance companies in a HIPAA compliant way.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and address day to day general operations and office procedures.
  • Prepare PowerPoint & other digital media for presentations that are distributed to upper management.
  • Show more

Administrative assistant/communications vs administrative associate skills

Common administrative assistant/communications skills
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 7%
  • Office Equipment, 4%
  • Expense Reports, 4%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%
Common administrative associate skills
  • Administrative Tasks, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Telephone Calls, 9%
  • Travel Arrangements, 9%
  • Patients, 8%

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