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What does an administrative technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does an administrative technician do

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.

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Administrative technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real administrative technician resumes:

  • Design and manage an innovative human capital and knowledge management information technology systems (e.g., PeopleSoft).
  • Manage after-hour phone consultations and create referral records for 2.2k patients while ensuring care continuity from civilian medical facilities.
  • Perform classroom instruction on Linux OS and database operations.
  • Utilize SharePoint to copy soft tokens into the appropriate agency's folder.
  • Build, maintain and support the company's Intranet portal system using SharePoint.
  • Set up PCs and laptops to any new employee for when they first arrive.
  • Provide helpdesk support and troubleshooting for local and remote users in a DoD contractor environment.
  • Tune user-developed customize SQL queries and search views to improve processing time significantly for several clients.
  • Install software on command center PCs, perform training, and operate base wide emergency alert system.
  • Prepare, distribute, and maintain classified and unclassify documents according to DOD directives and local policies.
  • Design and implement a departmental web site in HTML as a resource for colleagues to find information.
  • Perform daily checklists making sure all SQL jobs, replication, backups are perform, check device manager on servers.
  • Produce innovative PowerPoint presentation to market executive support programs.
  • Help production technical directors troubleshoot and resolve various rendering issues.
  • Assist internal customers and staff to troubleshoot technical issues resulting in immediate solutions

Administrative technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Administrative Technicians 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 Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 14%

    Enabled Customer Service Engineering to provide proactive customer service by developing reports that compiled and organized monthly quality assurance test data.

  • Data Entry, 11%

    Enter alpha-numeric and symbolic data from various source documents into terminals and/or computers using multiple data entry systems and applications.

  • Patients, 8%

    Managed after-hour phone consultations and created referral records for 2.2k patients while ensuring care continuity from civilian medical facilities.

  • Database Management, 5%

    Configured and maintained network applications and database management.

  • Payroll, 5%

    Prepared bi-weekly attendance and generated transaction reports for Corporate, Property, Regulatory Accounting, and Payroll Department.

  • Troubleshoot, 4%

    Processed expense reports and return material authorizations * Helped customers troubleshoot minor equipment issues

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

Interpersonal skills. The most essential soft skill for an administrative technician to carry out their responsibilities is interpersonal skills. This skill is important for the role because "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Additionally, an administrative technician resume shows how their duties depend on interpersonal skills: "provide excellent interpersonal, proactive customer service to all. "

Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform administrative technician duties is organizational skills. Administrative technicians responsibilities require that "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." Administrative technicians also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provide organizational assistance for the regional office s financial, human resources, payroll, recruitment and administrative functions. "

Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of administrative technicians is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday administrative technician duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to all patients, staff and other members of medical teams. "

See the full list of administrative technician skills

The three companies that hire the most administrative technicians are:

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Compare different administrative technicians

Administrative technician vs. Service administrator

A service administrator is responsible for assisting the customers' inquiries and concerns, recommending service alternatives, processing refunds, and escalating high-level complaints to the service manager for immediate resolution. Service administrators receive and process orders, take customers' special instructions, and ensure that they get the highest customer satisfaction, generate more revenues, and improve the company's branding recognition. A service administrator also informs the customer of promotional offers and new services by utilizing sales pitches and other marketing strategies. They should have excellent communication and customer service skills to keep a customer's loyalty.

The annual salary of service administrators is $13,283 higher than the average salary of administrative technicians.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between administrative technicians and service administrators are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer service, data entry, and patients.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an administrative technician are more likely to require skills like "database management," "technical troubleshooting," "personnel actions," and "pcs." On the other hand, a job as a service administrator requires skills like "cms," "repair orders," "oversight," and "windows." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Service administrators really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $75,691. Comparatively, administrative technicians tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $43,502.service administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than administrative technicians. In fact, service administrators are 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative technician vs. Office administrator

Office administrators are employees who ensure that the office is running in tip-top shape. They manage the administrative needs of the office. They answer calls directed to the official company phone, manage the inventory of supplies, take charge or purchase requisitions for needed supplies, and ensure the office equipment and fixtures are taken care of. Office administrators also manage correspondences, official memoranda, and other official company documents. They also keep track of files and records to ensure that these are properly organized. At times, office administrators also take charge of welcoming guests and accompanying them to their respective meetings.

On average, office administrators earn a $3,867 lower salary than administrative technicians a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Administrative technicians and office administrators both require similar skills like "customer service," "data entry," and "patients" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that administrative technician responsibilities requires skills like "database management," "payroll," "troubleshoot," and "technical troubleshooting." But an office administrator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "purchase orders," "financial reports," "human resources," and "office operations."

On average, office administrators earn a lower salary than administrative technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, office administrators earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $39,681. Whereas administrative technicians have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $43,502.In general, office administrators achieve similar levels of education than administrative technicians. They're 1.5% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative technician vs. Technician

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

On average scale, technicians bring in lower salaries than administrative technicians. In fact, they earn a $3,245 lower salary per year.By looking over several administrative technicians and technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "patients," and "pcs." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, administrative technicians are more likely to have skills like "data entry," "database management," "payroll," and "troubleshoot." But a technician is more likely to have skills like "patient care," "hand tools," "diagnosis," and "preventative maintenance."

Technicians earn the best pay in the telecommunication industry, where they command an average salary of $46,660. Administrative technicians earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $43,502.Most technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to administrative technicians. For example, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Administrative technician vs. Office technician

An Office Technician handles installation and repair tasks by using power tools and manual equipment safely and effectively. Besides installing, maintaining, and repairing central office equipment, an office technician also installs, tests, and labels cable lines. They deactivate, activate, and maintain office equipment. Other duties performed by office technicians include removing non-functional and unused office equipment, managing equipment stations and telecommunication rooms cabling, and maintaining inspection, repair, maintenance, and installation documents. Also, these professionals work as per environmental, safety, and health policies.

Office technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of administrative technicians. The difference is about $6,334 per year.While their salaries may vary, administrative technicians and office technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data entry," "patients," and "payroll. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An administrative technician uses "customer service," "database management," "technical troubleshooting," and "personnel actions." Office technicians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "office procedures," "schedule appointments," "vital signs," and "meeting minutes. "The construction industry tends to pay the highest salaries for office technicians, with average annual pay of $38,498. Comparatively, the highest administrative technician annual salary comes from the finance industry.office technicians reach similar levels of education compared to administrative technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of administrative technician

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.

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