Post job

What does an administrative support specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an administrative support specialist do

An administrative support specialist is an individual who is involved in the office management, clerical tasks, and back-office duties of an organization. To run the office smoothly, administrative support specialists must manage the purchasing and inventory of office supplies as well as schedule the maintenance of office equipment. They serve as a liaison for executives by screening incoming calls and emails, sorting mails, and setting appointments with employees, customers, and vendors. Administrative support specialists must also be able to draft memos and edit report proposals and other business documents.

On this page

Administrative support specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real administrative support specialist resumes:

  • Create PowerPoint presentations, manage spreadsheet information/graphs and provide reports as necessary.
  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Assist SharePoint intranet creation and documentation.
  • Generate PowerPoint presentations for meetings and training.
  • Maintain and post unit documents utilizing SharePoint.
  • Maintain files on all division civilian personnel, submit accurate payroll sheets for assign civilian personnel.
  • Follow up with clients via email/text messaging application on appointment and standardize treatment of patients following recovery process.
  • Verify and provide inputs regarding data and pay changes, ensuring information are reflected accurately in payroll database.
  • Coordinate services and implement emergency procedures if need; interview patients, enter medical information and transmit/receive EKG reports.
  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Arrange for the timely delivery of correspondence and/or corporate materials via fax, FedEx or other modes of communication.
  • Coordinate with FedEx to send correspondence to contractors; send out correspondence and/or make hand deliveries to other departments.
  • Perform other clerical duties as needed (i.e., filing, photocopying, collating).
  • Set up classes and maintain educational information in PeopleSoft.
  • Configure various PeopleSoft modules in PeopleSoft v.9.1 and perform testing, updating project documentation and validating training materials.

Administrative support specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Administrative Support Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Administrative Support Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 16%

    Front desk support/Customer service/Scheduling/AV technology/Facility Coordinator.

  • Data Entry, 8%

    Compiled statistical data and produced reports using data entry, reviewing documents to insure correct city protocol was being followed.

  • Patients, 6%

    Coordinate services and implement emergency procedures if needed; interview patients, enter medical information and transmit/receive EKG reports.

  • PowerPoint, 5%

    Develop PowerPoint presentations for the Domestic Violence Section of the Criminal Investigations Division.

  • Administrative Functions, 4%

    Perform administrative functions for the Executive Director, Deputy Directors and Program Managers as well as assisting all Supervisory Personnel.

  • Office Equipment, 4%

    Managed office equipment and supplies required to enhance productivity and maintain office efficiency.

Most administrative support specialists use their skills in "customer service," "data entry," and "patients" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential administrative support specialist responsibilities here:

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an administrative support specialist to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Administrative support specialists often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used presentation, communication and interpersonal skills to expand the patients knowledge on bariatric surgeries and outcomes. "

Organizational skills. Many administrative support specialist duties rely on organizational skills. "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently.," so an administrative support specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways administrative support specialist responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "served as the organizational poc for dts support issues. "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for administrative support specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how administrative support specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an administrative support specialist: "assisted in insurance underwriting --regularly communicate with banks and customers regarding mortgages and policies -data entry -general administrative support -mail room".

All administrative support specialist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable administrative support specialist resume templates

Build a professional administrative support specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your administrative support specialist resume.
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume
Administrative Support Specialist Resume

Compare different administrative support specialists

Administrative support specialist vs. Support clerk

A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.

The annual salary of support clerks is $3,085 lower than the average salary of administrative support specialists.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both administrative support specialist and support clerk positions are skilled in customer service, data entry, and patients.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an administrative support specialist are more likely to require skills like "administrative functions," "office procedures," "strong customer service," and "provides administrative support." On the other hand, a job as a support clerk requires skills like "medical terminology," "inventory control," "financial transactions," and "credit card." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Support clerks really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $35,567. Comparatively, administrative support specialists tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $42,241.support clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than administrative support specialists. In fact, support clerks are 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative support specialist vs. Clerical specialist

Clerical specialists are office assistants or executive secretaries offering administrative support. The specialists schedule conference meetings or calls, prepare statistical reports and correspondence, and maintain sensitive data. They manage both incoming and outgoing mails and the distribution of letters and packages to administrative offices and staff. Their job includes the redesign and reorganization of the existing filing systems of client and internal documents. They comply with corporate confidentiality, regulations, and guidelines. Skills in data entry, customer service, and medical records are necessary for this job.

A career as a clerical specialist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an administrative support specialist. In fact, clerical specialists salary is $7,508 lower than the salary of administrative support specialists per year.A few skills overlap for administrative support specialists and clerical specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "data entry," and "patients. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that administrative support specialist responsibilities requires skills like "administrative functions," "office procedures," "strong customer service," and "provides administrative support." But a clerical specialist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hipaa," "clerical tasks," "patient appointments," and "emr."

On average, clerical specialists earn a lower salary than administrative support specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, clerical specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $33,106. Whereas administrative support specialists have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $42,241.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Clerical specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than administrative support specialists. In fact, they're 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative support specialist vs. Office specialist

An office specialist is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the organization's daily operations. Office specialists must be highly organizational, as well as having excellent time-management skills to handle work units. They have duties including data entry procedures, greeting visitors, responding to customers' inquiries through phone calls and e-mails, and filing and sorting documents. Office specialists are responsible for creating meeting reports, scheduling appointments, evaluating financial statements, coordinating with other staff for event planning, and assisting the senior management with complex functions.

An average office specialist eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of administrative support specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to office specialists earning a $4,767 lower average salary than administrative support specialists.administrative support specialists and office specialists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "data entry," and "patients," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from administrative support specialist resumes include skills like "office procedures," "strong customer service," "human resources," and "database management," whereas an office specialist is more likely to list skills in "office support," "hr," "office management," and "hipaa. "

Office specialists earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $37,752. Administrative support specialists earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $42,241.Most office specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to administrative support specialists. For example, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative support specialist vs. Administrative internship

Administrative interns are entry-level professionals providing administrative support in organizations. The interns are responsible for the improvement of their knowledge of administrative works. They should learn skills such as the company's technology, time management, detail-orientation, and written and verbal communication. They arrange appointments, executive travel, and meetings. It is also part of their job to prepare and edit reports, emails, memos, and letters. They even do clerical jobs.

Administrative interns average a higher salary than the annual salary of administrative support specialists. The difference is about $557 per year.While both administrative support specialists and administrative interns complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like data entry, powerpoint, and administrative functions, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between administrative support specialists and administrative interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an administrative support specialist might have more use for skills like "customer service," "patients," "office procedures," and "strong customer service." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of administrative interns require skills like "healthcare," "administrative intern," "professional development," and "salesforce. "

In general, administrative interns earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $39,355. The highest-paying industry for an administrative support specialist is the government industry.In general, administrative interns hold similar degree levels compared to administrative support specialists. Administrative interns are 4.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of administrative support specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs