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Apprentice vs assistant

The differences between apprentices and assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an apprentice, becoming an assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assistant has an average salary of $37,363, which is higher than the $37,107 average annual salary of an apprentice.

The top three skills for an apprentice include PET, customer service and basic math. The most important skills for an assistant are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Apprentice vs assistant overview

ApprenticeAssistant
Yearly salary$37,107$37,363
Hourly rate$17.84$17.96
Growth rate7%-8%
Number of jobs13,014557,900
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4250
Years of experience122

What does an apprentice do?

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.

What does an assistant do?

An assistant intern is responsible for facilitating administrative and clerical tasks as assigned by the management. Assistant interns' duties include keeping records of meetings, receiving calls and handling customer inquiries, assisting on writing reports and data entry processing, cooperating and providing support for business events, and adhering to company policies and regulatory procedures. Successful assistant interns must have excellent time-management, multi-tasking, and communication skills. They must be a team player and fast-learner to handle various tasks in the corporate industry.

Apprentice vs assistant salary

Apprentices and assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

ApprenticeAssistant
Average salary$37,107$37,363
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $51,000Between $16,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMid-South ManagementLatham & Watkins
Best paying industryTransportationEducation

Differences between apprentice and assistant education

There are a few differences between an apprentice and an assistant in terms of educational background:

ApprenticeAssistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-Western Carolina University

Apprentice vs assistant demographics

Here are the differences between apprentices' and assistants' demographics:

ApprenticeAssistant
Average age4250
Gender ratioMale, 78.4% Female, 21.6%Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage3%6%

Differences between apprentice and assistant duties and responsibilities

Apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Perform services include but not limit to plumbing, roofing, siding, painting, tiling, and electrical work.
  • Replace asphalt shingles, and other cold application roofs, and built-up roofs and apply caulking materials and membrane waterproofing.
  • Experience with EPDM & TPO single-ply membrane, fully adhere and mechanically fasten.
  • Assist journeyman with bending pipe (EMT, PVC & rigid), pulling and installing wire, and terminating panels
  • Locate and repair leaks in asphalt, asbestos, and slate shingles, tile and built-up roofs and single-ply membranes.
  • Install and repair electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, conduit systems, fixtures, wall sockets, plugs and switches.
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Assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage circulations, including educational textbooks and DVDS, video technology and supplies.
  • Manage branches providing information technology support, logistics, training and operational support.
  • Manage company's twitter account and communicate with multiple physical therapy providers around the country
  • Optimize productivity in prioritizing and managing special projects, PowerPoint presentations for classes, and proctore exams for undergraduate classes.
  • Assist in jewelry design and assembly, manage company Facebook page, participate in wholesale buying, and manage retail inventory
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
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Apprentice vs assistant skills

Common apprentice skills
  • PET, 43%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Apprenticeship, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 3%
  • CPR, 1%
Common assistant skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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