Administrative functional support vs support staff

The differences between administrative functional supports and desk clerks supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an administrative functional support and a support staff. Additionally, an administrative functional support has an average salary of $54,677, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for an administrative functional support include generate reports, human resources and functional unit processes. The most important skills for a support staff are customer service, developmental disabilities, and mental health.

Administrative functional support vs support staff overview

	Administrative Functional Support	Support Staff
Yearly salary	$54,677	$31,772
Hourly rate	$26.29	$15.28
Growth rate	-8%	36%
Number of jobs	103,296	161,915
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does an administrative functional support do?

Administrative functional supports generally work on clerical activities like preparing documents and reports, scheduling meetings, analyzing data for budgetary expenditures, etc. These professionals keep their organization's confidential information, act as middlemen between internal and external contacts, and organize special events or programs. They assist in the production, designing, and development of company publications. Also, they are in charge of cascading routine and general information about process updates and standard procedures to the staff. There are four levels of work on this job, each requiring a different degree of experience and education.

What does a support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

Administrative functional support vs support staff salary

Administrative functional supports and desk clerks supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Administrative Functional Support	Support Staff
Average salary	$54,677	$31,772
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $84,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Lakeland Electric
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between administrative functional support and support staff education

There are a few differences between an administrative functional support and a support staff in terms of educational background:

	Administrative Functional Support	Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	Duke University

Administrative functional support vs support staff demographics

Here are the differences between administrative functional supports' and desk clerks supervisors' demographics:

	Administrative Functional Support	Support Staff
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0%	Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between administrative functional support and support staff duties and responsibilities

Administrative functional support example responsibilities.

Assist SVP with managing transition to effectively disband correspondent department and close office.
Register new patients and update existing patient's demographics by collecting patient detail patient's information including personal and financial information.
Process subpoenas and unemployment claims.

Support staff example responsibilities.

Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
Provide companionship to the consumer.
Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.

Administrative functional support vs support staff skills

Common administrative functional support skills

Generate Reports, 16%
Human Resources, 13%
Functional Unit Processes, 9%
Word Processing, 7%
SharePoint, 6%
Business, 5%

Common support staff skills

Customer Service, 9%
Developmental Disabilities, 7%
Mental Health, 6%
Meal Preparation, 6%
Direct Care, 6%
Home Maintenance, 6%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Administrative Functional Support
Administrative Functional Support vs Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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