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The differences between administrative assistants and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an administrative assistant, becoming an assistant manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assistant manager has an average salary of $39,127, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for an administrative assistant include customer service, data entry and powerpoint. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $34,945 | $39,127 |
| Hourly rate | $16.80 | $18.81 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 65,769 | 566,132 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.14 | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.
An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.
Administrative assistants and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Average salary | $34,945 | $39,127 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $46,000 | Between $23,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Westfield State University | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between an administrative assistant and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between administrative assistants' and assistant managers' demographics:
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 10% |