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Clerk/assistant vs clerical associate

The differences between clerks/assistant and clerical associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clerk/assistant and a clerical associate. Additionally, a clerk/assistant has an average salary of $32,674, which is higher than the $30,024 average annual salary of a clerical associate.

The top three skills for a clerk/assistant include customer support, telephone calls and word processing. The most important skills for a clerical associate are patients, data entry, and customer service.

Clerk/assistant vs clerical associate overview

Clerk/AssistantClerical Associate
Yearly salary$32,674$30,024
Hourly rate$15.71$14.43
Growth rate-5%-5%
Number of jobs114,71878,648
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4747
Years of experience22

What does a clerk/assistant do?

A clerk is someone who performs administrative tasks assigned by a manager or by other employees. The job includes responsibilities like dealing with correspondence, data maintenance through manual or computer systems, filing, and related general office duties. It involves typing letters, reports, and any other business-related documents. Clerks sort and respond to emails or forward them to other employees. They need to develop skills in typing, administrative duties, customer service and relations, and attention to detail.

What does a clerical associate do?

A clerical associate is someone who carries out administrative tasks. Clerical associates photocopy, distribute mail, put together mailings, send faxes, respond to emails, and type letters. The associate's order office supplies, convey messages to staff members, handle payroll, and manage conference rooms. They check records for information accuracy and policy and procedure conformity. It is part of their responsibilities to perform projects for patient care facilitation. Also, they provide support to the mental health clinic in terms of patient care and satisfaction survey distribution and collection.

Clerk/assistant vs clerical associate salary

Clerks/assistant and clerical associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clerk/AssistantClerical Associate
Average salary$32,674$30,024
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $41,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityLong Beach, CABakersfield, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyUnited States CourtsGBS
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between clerk/assistant and clerical associate education

There are a few differences between a clerk/assistant and a clerical associate in terms of educational background:

Clerk/AssistantClerical Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clerk/assistant vs clerical associate demographics

Here are the differences between clerks/assistant' and clerical associates' demographics:

Clerk/AssistantClerical Associate
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 20.3% Female, 79.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 8.3% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between clerk/assistant and clerical associate duties and responsibilities

Clerk/assistant example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
  • Create and present PowerPoint presentations for senior level staff.
  • Compose a weekly PowerPoint presentation regarding company highlights.
  • Review payroll to ensure accuracy, compile payroll records and distribute paychecks.
  • Schedule radiology procedures and appointments accurately, and in a timely manner.
  • Demonstrate administrative and customer service expertise with responsibility for resolving payroll relate questions.
  • Show more

Clerical associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
  • Apply ICD-9, CPT and HCPCS codes for outpatient treatments.
  • Obtain and properly distributes messages using EMR.
  • Fax radiology reports and make calls regarding abnormal reports.
  • Coordinate patient radiology exams as well as patient procedures.
  • Update clinical records associate with patient visits in MYSIS EMR system.
  • Show more

Clerk/assistant vs clerical associate skills

Common clerk/assistant skills
  • Customer Support, 14%
  • Telephone Calls, 13%
  • Word Processing, 11%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Office Machines, 5%
Common clerical associate skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Clerical Functions, 5%
  • Patient Care, 5%

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