Administrative specialist vs assistant project manager

The differences between administrative specialists and assistant project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant project manager has an average salary of $76,020, which is higher than the $38,758 average annual salary of an administrative specialist.

The top three skills for an administrative specialist include customer service, data entry and powerpoint. The most important skills for an assistant project manager are project management, construction management, and general contractors.

Administrative specialist vs assistant project manager overview

	Administrative Specialist	Assistant Project Manager
Yearly salary	$38,758	$76,020
Hourly rate	$18.63	$36.55
Growth rate	-8%	-2%
Number of jobs	71,227	119,279
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	50	47
Years of experience	2	-

What does an administrative specialist do?

An administrative specialist is in charge of various clerical tasks to support supervisors and management staff. Their responsibility is to act as the main point of contact among clients through answering calls and responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments and travel, addressing complaints and resolving internal issues, managing payroll, and keeping an organized database. Furthermore, an administrative specialist can also conduct research and analysis, prepare reports and other forms of documentation, and coordinate workflow in a particular area.

What does an assistant project manager do?

An assistant project manager is an individual who works directly under a project manager to support the planning and execution of projects. Associate project managers keep track of a project's progress and communicate with stakeholders about project needs and goals. They help procure materials and other essential items to meet project goals and avoid delays in completing a project. They are also responsible for resolving complex issues that arise in a project.

Administrative specialist vs assistant project manager salary

Administrative specialists and assistant project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Administrative Specialist	Assistant Project Manager
Average salary	$38,758	$76,020
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $58,000	Between $55,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	Connecticut
Best paying company	Meta	Square Enix
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between administrative specialist and assistant project manager education

There are a few differences between an administrative specialist and an assistant project manager in terms of educational background:

	Administrative Specialist	Assistant Project Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	University of Southern California

Administrative specialist vs assistant project manager demographics

Here are the differences between administrative specialists' and assistant project managers' demographics:

	Administrative Specialist	Assistant Project Manager
Average age	50	47
Gender ratio	Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%	Male, 65.5% Female, 34.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	10%

Differences between administrative specialist and assistant project manager duties and responsibilities

Administrative specialist example responsibilities.

Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
Process incoming and outgoing medical records with newly implement HIPAA requirements.
Maintain personnel records, electronic databases, oversee and administer department SharePoint website.
Redesign and reformat PowerPoint presentations, customize individual client presentations for specific look & feel.
Create and successfully implement a new faculty form to collect necessary information for payroll forms.
Conduct training of new personnel using spreadsheets & PowerPoint presentations to ensure compliance of organizational policies & procedures.

Assistant project manager example responsibilities.

Manage all aspects of project, and have repaired relationship/company image with USACE.
Achieve the highest level of recognition for project and quality management execution given by NAVFAC.
Manage buy-out of all in-place materials and equipment; schedule crane hoisting and concrete pumping requirements.
Produce & manage event logistics & corresponding media including; & digital promotions, direct mailings and digital campaigns.
Manage all size commercial fire alarm, access control, CCTV, intrusion, intercom, and sound systems.
Manage all aspects of the RFQ including competitive bidding process, negotiation and award of contracts to vendors nationwide.

Administrative specialist vs assistant project manager skills

Common administrative specialist skills

Customer Service, 14%
Data Entry, 6%
PowerPoint, 6%
Office Procedures, 5%
Patients, 5%
Payroll, 4%

Common assistant project manager skills

Project Management, 11%
Construction Management, 11%
General Contractors, 6%
Construction Projects, 5%
Purchase Orders, 5%
Work Ethic, 4%

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Administrative Specialist
Administrative Specialist vs Assistant Project Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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