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Assistant department head vs assistant manager

The differences between assistant department heads and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant department head and an assistant manager. Additionally, an assistant department head has an average salary of $65,309, which is higher than the $39,127 average annual salary of an assistant manager.

The top three skills for an assistant department head include ladders, sales floor and customer service. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.

Assistant department head vs assistant manager overview

Assistant Department HeadAssistant Manager
Yearly salary$65,309$39,127
Hourly rate$31.40$18.81
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs41,690566,132
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4344
Years of experience66

What does an assistant department head do?

An assistant department head is responsible for monitoring the operations of the department, together with the department head. Assistant department heads' duties include managing clients' inquiries and complaints, developing strategic solutions to improve clients' satisfaction, and identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and the business' profitability. They will also work on monitoring the staff's performance and addressing their concerns, creating sales reports, maintaining budget goals, and organizing training. An assistant department head must have excellent leadership and communication skills to help in achieving the department's objectives.

What does an assistant manager do?

An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.

Assistant department head vs assistant manager salary

Assistant department heads and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Department HeadAssistant Manager
Average salary$65,309$39,127
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $106,000Between $23,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityCentereach, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyPrinceton UniversitySimpson Thacher & Bartlett
Best paying industryEnergyFinance

Differences between assistant department head and assistant manager education

There are a few differences between an assistant department head and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:

Assistant Department HeadAssistant Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiUniversity of Georgia

Assistant department head vs assistant manager demographics

Here are the differences between assistant department heads' and assistant managers' demographics:

Assistant Department HeadAssistant Manager
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 54.9% Female, 45.1%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between assistant department head and assistant manager duties and responsibilities

Assistant department head example responsibilities.

  • Generate and implement new rules and regulations for the disciplinary department which lead to streamlining the process for separating challenge sailors.
  • Manage a high volume of patient information from authorizing diagnostic procedures and scheduling patients.
  • Perform all duties require while working in a retail environment such as POS cash handling, customer service and sales.
  • Stoop, climb ladders, and lift heavy loads during set-up for events.
  • Administer Microsoft PowerPoint training lectures and meeting/ briefings require by OSHA and NAVOSH.
  • Collaborate with patients, Tricare, and providers DOD and civilian coordinating specialty care referrals.
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Assistant manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and approve all advertising and promotional activity (weekly flyers).
  • Manage a team in order to reach daily, monthly, and yearly monetary, KPI, and loyalty goals.
  • Assist with customer service, organize employee payroll and scheduling, and manage day-to-day company responsibilities.
  • Maintain customer base by providing excellent customer service, maintaining facilities cleanliness, preparing daily reports and managing other cashiers.
  • Provide exceptional customer service by serving food and bartending during the restaurant s busiest hours of operation
  • Assist customers and operate POS register, unload stock delivery truck, stock merchandise and build displays, make bank deposits.
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Assistant department head vs assistant manager skills

Common assistant department head skills
  • Ladders, 29%
  • Sales Floor, 28%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Curriculum Development, 3%
  • Professional Development, 3%
  • Loss Prevention, 3%
Common assistant manager skills
  • Paperwork, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Payroll, 4%