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The differences between contract administrative assistants and administrative 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 contract administrative assistant and an administrative associate. Additionally, a contract administrative assistant has an average salary of $39,073, which is higher than the $34,873 average annual salary of an administrative associate.
The top three skills for a contract administrative assistant include data entry, purchase orders and powerpoint. The most important skills for an administrative associate are administrative tasks, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Contract Administrative Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $39,073 | $34,873 |
| Hourly rate | $18.79 | $16.77 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 64,677 | 54,499 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A contract administrative assistant works on a contractual basis at offices where they are in charge of performing support tasks. Among their responsibilities include answering calls and correspondence, filing and organizing documents, coordinating with different departments, arranging appointments and schedules, preparing and processing files, and running errands as needed. They may also monitor the inventory of office supplies, processing procurement requests when necessary. Furthermore, a contract administrative assistant must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
An administrative associate is responsible for performing various tasks such as handling and processing paperwork, attending meetings and preparing minutes, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, keeping accurate records, updating databases, and monitoring the company's financial activities. They also communicate with various department personnel, ensuring coordination should any important matter would arise. Furthermore, as an administrative associate, they are in charge of procuring supplies, implementing company policies, and supporting any staff members if needed.
Contract administrative assistants and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Administrative Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Average salary | $39,073 | $34,873 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $48,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Minnesota State Fair | Lord Abbett |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between a contract administrative assistant and an administrative associate in terms of educational background:
| Contract Administrative Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between contract administrative assistants' and administrative associates' demographics:
| Contract Administrative Assistant | Administrative Associate | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8% | Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |