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The differences between administrative technicians and administrative receptionists 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 receptionist. Additionally, an administrative technician has an average salary of $41,290, which is higher than the $31,502 average annual salary of an administrative receptionist.
The top three skills for an administrative technician include customer service, data entry and patients. The most important skills for an administrative receptionist are customer service, patients, and data entry.
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Receptionist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,290 | $31,502 |
| Hourly rate | $19.85 | $15.15 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 73,101 | 91,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| 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.
An administrative receptionist is responsible for performing administrative tasks, handling visitors' inquiries and concerns, verifying appointments, and leading them to the appropriate personnel and department, as well as handling and routing calls. Administrative receptionists also keep records of the staff meeting and executive conference, including company and promotional events. They receive packages and mail, sort documents, manage office supply inventories, create incident reports, and report suspicious guests within the premises. An administrative receptionist must have excellent communication and customer service skills, especially on resolving and escalating complaints.
Administrative technicians and administrative receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Receptionist | |
| Average salary | $41,290 | $31,502 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $65,000 | Between $25,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | InfosysPublicService | Beacon Hill Staffing Group |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between an administrative technician and an administrative receptionist in terms of educational background:
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Receptionist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between administrative technicians' and administrative receptionists' demographics:
| Administrative Technician | Administrative Receptionist | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.0% Female, 66.0% | Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |