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The differences between dept managers and executive assistant/office managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a dept manager, becoming an executive assistant/office manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an executive assistant/office manager has an average salary of $59,405, which is higher than the $50,222 average annual salary of a dept manager.
The top three skills for a dept manager include customer service, sales floor and pallet jack. The most important skills for an executive assistant/office manager are customer service, financial reports, and office equipment.
| Dept Manager | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $50,222 | $59,405 |
| Hourly rate | $24.15 | $28.56 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 221,313 | 119,266 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 43 | 49 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A department manager is responsible for monitoring the operations of the assigned department, ensuring the maximum productivity and optimal performance of the staff. Department managers also coordinate with business partners, clients, and customers, as well as identifying business opportunities to drive more revenues and increase profitability. They handle department budgets and maintain the proper allocation of resources to support project management and deliverables. A department manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, managing the staff's needs, and providing excellent support.
An executive assistant/office manager specializes in administrative support tasks within an office or an organization. One of their primary responsibilities includes assisting the director or head of an office by responding to calls and inquiries, handling correspondence, arranging appointments and meetings, managing schedules, and reporting necessary updates. They must also monitor inventory and procure necessary supplies, process documentation, and perform other tasks to support staff. Furthermore, an executive assistant/office manager may take part in the preparations and approval of the payroll, budget, and other necessary databases concerning employees and departments.
Dept managers and executive assistant/office managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Dept Manager | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Average salary | $50,222 | $59,405 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $87,000 | Between $39,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bay Shore, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | UPMC | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Real Estate |
There are a few differences between a dept manager and an executive assistant/office manager in terms of educational background:
| Dept Manager | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between dept managers' and executive assistant/office managers' demographics:
| Dept Manager | Executive Assistant/Office Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 49 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.5% Female, 47.5% | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 Percentage | 9% | 10% |