Assistant department head vs lead assistant

The differences between assistant department heads and lead assistants 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 a lead assistant. Additionally, an assistant department head has an average salary of $65,309, which is higher than the $31,987 average annual salary of a lead assistant.

The top three skills for an assistant department head include ladders, sales floor and customer service. The most important skills for a lead assistant are customer service, sales floor, and payroll.

Assistant department head vs lead assistant overview

	Assistant Department Head	Lead Assistant
Yearly salary	$65,309	$31,987
Hourly rate	$31.40	$15.38
Growth rate	-	12%
Number of jobs	41,690	86,609
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

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 a lead assistant do?

A lead assistant is responsible for monitoring the operations of a specific business department, under the supervision of a team lead. Lead assistants provide support on training new staff, implementing strategic policies, identifying business opportunities, and developing services that would bring more revenues and profitability for the organization. They also respond to customers' inquiries, handling complaints, and ensuring immediate resolution for all concerns to maintain customers' satisfaction and a good reputation for the business. A lead assistant must have excellent communication and leadership skills to manage the team's needs, meeting operational goals timely and efficiently.

Assistant department head vs lead assistant salary

Assistant department heads and lead assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Department Head	Lead Assistant
Average salary	$65,309	$31,987
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $106,000	Between $21,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Centereach, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	Princeton University	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between assistant department head and lead assistant education

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

	Assistant Department Head	Lead Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Assistant department head vs lead assistant demographics

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

	Assistant Department Head	Lead Assistant
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%	Male, 40.8% Female, 59.2%
Race ratio	Black 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, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between assistant department head and lead assistant 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.

Lead assistant example responsibilities.

Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
Oversee pet services sales and operations as well as the partners that work in pet services.
Coordinate placement testing for all new incoming students to ensure proper placement in advance math classes.
Utilize multiple screens and windows to provide accurate service for members with questions relating to their individual and group coverage.
Design and implement promotional campaigns for products and services - seasonal and holiday theme d cor for windows and sales displays.
Maintain timekeeping information, process and submit payroll.

Assistant department head vs lead assistant skills

Common assistant department head skills

Ladders, 29%
Sales Floor, 28%
Customer Service, 11%
Curriculum Development, 3%
Professional Development, 3%
Loss Prevention, 3%

Common lead assistant skills

Customer Service, 18%
Sales Floor, 13%
Payroll, 10%
PET, 8%
Employee Engagement, 7%
Leadership, 6%

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Assistant Department Head
Assistant Department Head vs Lead Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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