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Assistant secretary vs administrative support assistant

The differences between assistant secretaries and administrative support assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an assistant secretary and an administrative support assistant. Additionally, an assistant secretary has an average salary of $107,366, which is higher than the $36,341 average annual salary of an administrative support assistant.

The top three skills for an assistant secretary include telephone calls, payroll and scheduling appointments. The most important skills for an administrative support assistant are customer service, provides administrative support, and data entry.

Assistant secretary vs administrative support assistant overview

Assistant SecretaryAdministrative Support Assistant
Yearly salary$107,366$36,341
Hourly rate$51.62$17.47
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs52,165118,512
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does an assistant secretary do?

An assistant secretary is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the daily operations of various departments and management personnel and ensure the efficiency of business functions. Assistant secretaries usually assist in business communications, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, reaching out to existing clients to schedule appointments, welcoming guests on the office, and routing calls to the appropriate department. They also handle data entry procedures, updating customer information on the database, as well as creating reports on business and financial transactions.

What does an administrative support assistant do?

Administrative support assistants are individuals who provide support to employees and managers. They provide assistance in general functions in various administrative or academic units. Their primary duties involve the management and dissemination of information within an organization. They take memos, maintain files, and answer phone calls. They should develop skills in technology, written and verbal communication, independence, and organization. Excellent skills in problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail are also important.

Assistant secretary vs administrative support assistant salary

Assistant secretaries and administrative support assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant SecretaryAdministrative Support Assistant
Average salary$107,366$36,341
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $302,000Between $29,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSeaTac, WA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyElancoBrookhaven National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between assistant secretary and administrative support assistant education

There are a few differences between an assistant secretary and an administrative support assistant in terms of educational background:

Assistant SecretaryAdministrative Support Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Assistant secretary vs administrative support assistant demographics

Here are the differences between assistant secretaries' and administrative support assistants' demographics:

Assistant SecretaryAdministrative Support Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 21.7% Female, 78.3%Male, 16.6% Female, 83.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between assistant secretary and administrative support assistant duties and responsibilities

Assistant secretary example responsibilities.

  • Manage and oversee all STO relate actions task to OSD impacting future and current operations in STO.
  • Assist main accountant with extra jobs and are trained in QuickBooks.
  • Proofread, edit & type legal briefs, business letters, case notes.
  • Book keeping, answer phone calls, run errands and handle billing using Quickbooks.
  • Assist in contacting and informing the parents of upcoming graduates about alumni programs and donations.
  • Serve as first point of contact for students, faculty, and alumni calling or visiting the main administrative office.
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Administrative support assistant example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Coordinate highly confidential and sensitive material relate to employee relations, payroll and personnel actions.
  • Complete diverse administrative tasks accurately and efficiently including verification of insurance information, payroll administration, and coordination of department meetings.
  • Create PowerPoint's of upcoming activities/events to distribute to departments/teams.
  • Interview patients and determine primary need of interest by providing assistance to other responsible personnel.
  • Maintain a database with confidential information regarding patients and providing medication for the HIV/AIDS section.
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Assistant secretary vs administrative support assistant skills

Common assistant secretary skills
  • Telephone Calls, 13%
  • Payroll, 9%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 9%
  • Financial Statements, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 7%
  • Computer System, 5%
Common administrative support assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%
  • Phone Calls, 4%

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