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The differences between data entry assistants and general office assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a data entry assistant and a general office assistant. Additionally, a data entry assistant has an average salary of $33,251, which is higher than the $30,764 average annual salary of a general office assistant.
The top three skills for a data entry assistant include company database, re-enter data and computer system. The most important skills for a general office assistant are data entry, customer service, and general office assistance.
| Data Entry Assistant | General Office Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $33,251 | $30,764 |
| Hourly rate | $15.99 | $14.79 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 86,989 | 131,527 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A data entry assistant is responsible for performing data entry procedures, updating customer information, as well as logging business transactions on the company's database accurately and efficiently. Data entry assistants compile and sort documents, escalating incomplete information for verification, and following the business' procedures on disposing and eliminating unnecessary data. They also provide administrative and clerical support on office operations, including assisting visitors on their needs or directing them to the appropriate personnel for their concerns. A data entry assistant maintains a safe and secured database and immediately call for support in case of unauthorized access and system inconsistencies.
A general office assistant is in charge of performing clerical support tasks to help an office run smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include managing the office calendar and schedules, preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, organizing and disseminating files, greeting visitors, and running errands as needed. They must also monitor the inventory of office supplies, processing procurement requests as necessary. Furthermore, a general office assistant may assist staff in projects and programs while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Data entry assistants and general office assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Data Entry Assistant | General Office Assistant | |
| Average salary | $33,251 | $30,764 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $40,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beaverton, OR | Annapolis, MD |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | ALDI USA | Cargill |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a data entry assistant and a general office assistant in terms of educational background:
| Data Entry Assistant | General Office Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between data entry assistants' and general office assistants' demographics:
| Data Entry Assistant | General Office Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.1% Female, 76.9% | Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 23.3% Asian, 8.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 9.1% White, 54.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |