Post job

Coordinator/executive assistant vs executive secretary

The differences between coordinator/executive assistants and executive secretaries can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a coordinator/executive assistant and an executive secretary. Additionally, a coordinator/executive assistant has an average salary of $63,929, which is higher than the $46,594 average annual salary of an executive secretary.

The top three skills for a coordinator/executive assistant include data entry, powerpoint and financial reports. The most important skills for an executive secretary are office procedures, payroll, and word processing.

Coordinator/executive assistant vs executive secretary overview

Coordinator/Executive AssistantExecutive Secretary
Yearly salary$63,929$46,594
Hourly rate$30.74$22.40
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs111,626103,802
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4949
Years of experience44

What does a coordinator/executive assistant do?

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.

What does an executive secretary do?

The primary role of executive secretaries is to provide clerical support to an executive or a high-level administrator. They are the ones who conduct the different administrative support tasks for executives which include managing the calendar of executives, answering phone calls, conducting research and sorting important files, preparing and proofreading monthly reports and industry documents that are relevant to the role of executives, and performing some bookkeeping activities such as invoice creation and office inventory tracking.

Coordinator/executive assistant vs executive secretary salary

Coordinator/executive assistants and executive secretaries have different pay scales, as shown below.

Coordinator/Executive AssistantExecutive Secretary
Average salary$63,929$46,594
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $97,000Between $31,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCNew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyBain & CompanyInfosysPublicService
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between coordinator/executive assistant and executive secretary education

There are a few differences between a coordinator/executive assistant and an executive secretary in terms of educational background:

Coordinator/Executive AssistantExecutive Secretary
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Coordinator/executive assistant vs executive secretary demographics

Here are the differences between coordinator/executive assistants' and executive secretaries' demographics:

Coordinator/Executive AssistantExecutive Secretary
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 10.2% Female, 89.8%Male, 7.7% Female, 92.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between coordinator/executive assistant and executive secretary duties and responsibilities

Coordinator/executive assistant example responsibilities.

  • Design PowerPoint presentations, manage complex calendars, prepare and process global travel reservations and expenses.
  • Monitor emails and confidential correspondence, complete and submit expense reports, manage departmental projects and create PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide proofreading, word processing, and graphics support, as needed.
  • Process required documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record keeping and proper deductions.
  • Coordinate with payroll regarding contract employee deductions and ensure that information are reflected in the appropriate pay period
  • Monitor emails and confidential correspondence, complete and submit expense reports, manage departmental projects and create PowerPoint presentations.
  • Show more

Executive secretary example responsibilities.

  • Manage specific projects from start to finish as required by the SVP.
  • Manage high volume of requests and correspondence from executives and colleagues, pharmaceutical representatives, patients and outside physicians.
  • Assist in daily typing of correspondence to agencies regarding Medicare and Medicaid contracts.
  • Maintain all the student records in PowerSchool and generate report cards with accuracy.
  • Maintain all departmental information, including transcription of meeting minutes and all audit and payroll documentation.
  • Input miss time punch and vacation/sick time in KRONOS for employees.
  • Show more

Coordinator/executive assistant vs executive secretary skills

Common coordinator/executive assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 10%
  • Financial Reports, 7%
  • Payroll, 6%
  • Calendar Management, 5%
  • Meeting Minutes, 4%
Common executive secretary skills
  • Office Procedures, 9%
  • Payroll, 9%
  • Word Processing, 8%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 5%

Browse office and administrative jobs