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The differences between administrative assistants and assistant principals 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 principal takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an assistant principal has an average salary of $73,607, 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 principal are classroom management, curriculum development, and professional development.
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Yearly salary | $34,945 | $73,607 |
| Hourly rate | $16.80 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 65,769 | 42,186 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.14 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
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 principal is responsible for carrying out administrative support tasks in a school or similar establishment. Most of the duties involve producing reports and evaluations, attending meetings, overseeing daily school operations, monitoring classes and faculty performances, implementing school policies and regulations, and coordinating with the principal, school board, and other members of the institution. Furthermore, an assistant principal participates in devising plans and strategies to improve the school curriculum and organize various activities that will help students develop their skills and potential.
Administrative assistants and assistant principals have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Average salary | $34,945 | $73,607 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $46,000 | Between $57,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Westfield State University | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an administrative assistant and an assistant principal in terms of educational background:
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Educational Leadership |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between administrative assistants' and assistant principals' demographics:
| Administrative Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Average age | 50 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% |
| 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 16% |