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The differences between admissions assistants and administrative associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an admissions assistant, becoming an administrative associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an administrative associate has an average salary of $34,873, which is higher than the $28,490 average annual salary of an admissions assistant.
The top three skills for an admissions assistant include customer service, patients and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Admissions Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $28,490 | $34,873 |
| Hourly rate | $13.70 | $16.77 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 47,968 | 54,499 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Admissions assistants are professionals who are responsible for handling enrollment tasks for a college, university, or healthcare facility. These assistants must use databases or programs to store and organize student information while providing excellent customer service to them and their parents. In healthcare centers, admissions assistants must assist with patient admissions as well as their medical billing. They must manage the reception area and greet visitors as well as respond to customer phone calls. Admission assistants must also assist admission officers and office staff with activities related to the admission process.
An administrative associate is responsible for performing various tasks such as handling and processing paperwork, attending meetings and preparing minutes, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, keeping accurate records, updating databases, and monitoring the company's financial activities. They also communicate with various department personnel, ensuring coordination should any important matter would arise. Furthermore, as an administrative associate, they are in charge of procuring supplies, implementing company policies, and supporting any staff members if needed.
Admissions assistants and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Admissions Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Average salary | $28,490 | $34,873 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $39,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saratoga Springs, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Lord Abbett |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between an admissions assistant and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:
| Admissions Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between admissions assistants' and administrative associates' demographics:
| Admissions Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7% | Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |