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Department assistant vs administrative assistant lead

The differences between department assistants and administrative assistant leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a department assistant and an administrative assistant lead. Additionally, a department assistant has an average salary of $40,698, which is higher than the $39,864 average annual salary of an administrative assistant lead.

The top three skills for a department assistant include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for an administrative assistant lead are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Department assistant vs administrative assistant lead overview

Department AssistantAdministrative Assistant Lead
Yearly salary$40,698$39,864
Hourly rate$19.57$19.17
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs88,26850,167
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does a department assistant do?

A department assistant is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support and ensure the smooth operations of an entire department. Department assistants manage meeting calendars, book travel appointments, assist with company events, respond to clients' inquiries and requests through phone calls or personal visits, update customer records, organize electronic files, create business proposals, and monitor supplies. A department assistant must have excellent organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to multitask under minimal supervision.

What does an administrative assistant lead do?

Lead administrative assistant job responsibilities include providing administrative support to ensure the organized operation of the office. They assist managers and employees through a range of tasks related to the organization, including ordering supplies, scheduling support meetings, filing confidential files, and booking travel arrangements. Typically, they also handle all incoming and outgoing communication through phones and support the preparation and distribution of memos, letters, and company-related forms. Moreover, they report to a direct manager or head of a unit/department.

Department assistant vs administrative assistant lead salary

Department assistants and administrative assistant leads have different pay scales, as shown below.

Department AssistantAdministrative Assistant Lead
Average salary$40,698$39,864
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $67,000Between $26,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBrookline, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandConnecticut
Best paying companyDorsey & WhitneyUniversity of Washington
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between department assistant and administrative assistant lead education

There are a few differences between a department assistant and an administrative assistant lead in terms of educational background:

Department AssistantAdministrative Assistant Lead
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Department assistant vs administrative assistant lead demographics

Here are the differences between department assistants' and administrative assistant leads' demographics:

Department AssistantAdministrative Assistant Lead
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 34.0% Female, 66.0%Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.2% 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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between department assistant and administrative assistant lead duties and responsibilities

Department assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop the daily clinical schedule for the in-patient rehabilitation staff taking into consideration Medicare guidelines and staffing ratios.
  • Team player/adaptable HIPPA compliant, CPR certify.
  • Maintain and process Kronos time and attendance records for department employees.
  • Perform CPR and assist in critical care room with traumas and arrests.
  • Clean windows, glass partitions, or mirrors, using soapy water or other cleaners.
  • Prepare and submit time to Kronos system biweekly and Lawson swift maker schedule for staff.
  • Show more

Administrative assistant lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage upper level calendar scheduling, arrange domestic and international travel, prepare PowerPoint presentations, correspondence and process expense reports.
  • Perform administrative duties of the store, including POS data, bookkeeping, and file management.
  • Maintain and process weekly payroll, daily monitoring of employee's attendance record using in- house payroll system.
  • Interview applicants, approve and process employee payroll and update department's employee handbook and equipment operation packet.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations/excel reports for partners and senior management.
  • Dispense and deliver patient medications to patients throughout the hospital.
  • Show more

Department assistant vs administrative assistant lead skills

Common department assistant skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Word Processing, 6%
  • Purchase Orders, 5%
  • Payroll, 4%
Common administrative assistant lead skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Medical Assistants, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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