Department assistant vs office receptionist

The differences between department assistants and office receptionists 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 office receptionist. Additionally, a department assistant has an average salary of $40,698, which is higher than the $33,554 average annual salary of an office receptionist.

The top three skills for a department assistant include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for an office receptionist are patients, customer service, and phone calls.

Department assistant vs office receptionist overview

	Department Assistant	Office Receptionist
Yearly salary	$40,698	$33,554
Hourly rate	$19.57	$16.13
Growth rate	-8%	-
Number of jobs	88,268	80,143
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	50	42
Years of experience	2	2

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 office receptionist do?

An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.

Department assistant vs office receptionist salary

Department assistants and office receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Department Assistant	Office Receptionist
Average salary	$40,698	$33,554
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $67,000	Between $27,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	Alaska
Best paying company	Dorsey & Whitney	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between department assistant and office receptionist education

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

	Department Assistant	Office Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	University of Pennsylvania

Department assistant vs office receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between department assistants' and office receptionists' demographics:

	Department Assistant	Office Receptionist
Average age	50	42
Gender ratio	Male, 34.0% Female, 66.0%	Male, 9.5% Female, 90.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between department assistant and office receptionist 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.

Office receptionist example responsibilities.

Verify insurance information and manage medical records while ensuring confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements.
Answer phones, make copies, Microsoft, PowerPoint, scheduling, greet and interact with clients, filing and mailing.
Complete and audit payroll for accuracy.
Process payroll and monthly/quarterly sales tax liabilities.
Stock exam rooms, sterilize instruments and occasionally assist physician with patients.
Provide high-quality customer-service to patients by treating them respectfully and t with discretion.

Department assistant vs office receptionist skills

Common department assistant skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 15%
Data Entry, 8%
Word Processing, 6%
Purchase Orders, 5%
Payroll, 4%

Common office receptionist skills

Patients, 20%
Customer Service, 15%
Phone Calls, 12%
Data Entry, 9%
Front Desk, 6%
Appointment Scheduling, 5%

Department Assistant vs. similar jobs

Department Assistant related careers

Department Assistant related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Department Assistant
Department Assistant vs Office Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs