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The differences between coordinator/executive assistants and administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a coordinator/executive assistant, becoming an administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a coordinator/executive assistant has an average salary of $63,929, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for a coordinator/executive assistant include data entry, powerpoint and financial reports. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.
| Coordinator/Executive Assistant | Administrative Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $63,929 | $34,945 |
| Hourly rate | $30.74 | $16.80 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 111,626 | 65,769 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.14 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Executive coordinators function as an executive or administrative assistant but with a higher level of responsibilities. Generally, the coordinators manage the office and other employees in the organization. They guide visitors, answer and route calls, and field interdepartmental communications. In most instances, they act as an intermediary between clients and executives and other employees. An executive coordinator needs to have good leadership qualities, knowledge of technology, communication skills, and skills in event planning and project management.
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.
Coordinator/executive assistants and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Coordinator/Executive Assistant | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average salary | $63,929 | $34,945 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $97,000 | Between $26,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Bain & Company | Westfield State University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a coordinator/executive assistant and an administrative assistant in terms of educational background:
| Coordinator/Executive Assistant | Administrative Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between coordinator/executive assistants' and administrative assistants' demographics:
| Coordinator/Executive Assistant | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8% | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 10% | 6% |