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The differences between assistant systems administrators and administrative 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 systems administrator and an administrative assistant. Additionally, an assistant systems administrator has an average salary of $40,777, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for an assistant systems administrator include customer service, patients and payroll. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.
| Assistant Systems Administrator | Administrative Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $40,777 | $34,945 |
| Hourly rate | $19.60 | $16.80 |
| Growth rate | 5% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 104,311 | 65,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.14 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Assistant systems administrators are responsible for supporting a team with their day-to-day operations of a company's computer systems and networks. They perform varied tasks, including monitoring, maintaining, and testing internet performance, ensuring the availability of computer networks for all users, and troubleshooting system failures and computer hardware and software issues. Assistant systems administrators may conduct training and support other network users within the organization. Additional tasks also include monitoring and evaluating the efficiency of operations and preparing systems and software documentation.
Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.
Assistant systems administrators and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Systems Administrator | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average salary | $40,777 | $34,945 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $71,000 | Between $26,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chico, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | Westfield State University |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between an assistant systems administrator and an administrative assistant in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Systems Administrator | Administrative Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between assistant systems administrators' and administrative assistants' demographics:
| Assistant Systems Administrator | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 6% |