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The differences between administrative technicians and administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an administrative technician and an administrative assistant. Additionally, an administrative technician has an average salary of $41,290, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for an administrative technician include customer service, data entry and patients. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $41,290 | $34,945 |
| Hourly rate | $19.85 | $16.80 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 73,101 | 65,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.14 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Administrative technicians are employees who manage a variety of administrative tasks. They are in charge of sorting out mail, taking phone calls, and managing meeting room reservations. They work on the upkeep of files and records, office supplies, and admin systems. Administrative technicians are sometimes assigned to conduct research and devise ways to improve the efficiency of office operations. They assist administrative officers and managers in drafting policies and guidelines. Administrative technicians may also be assigned to create presentation materials and documentary requirements needed by the department.
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.
Administrative technicians and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average salary | $41,290 | $34,945 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $65,000 | Between $26,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | California |
| Best paying company | InfosysPublicService | Westfield State University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between an administrative technician and an administrative assistant in terms of educational background:
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between administrative technicians' and administrative assistants' demographics:
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.0% Female, 66.0% | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |