Document controller vs administrative assistant

The differences between document controllers and administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a document controller, becoming an administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a document controller has an average salary of $41,157, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.

The top three skills for a document controller include project procedures, data entry and sharepoint. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.

Document controller vs administrative assistant overview

	Document Controller	Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary	$41,157	$34,945
Hourly rate	$19.79	$16.80
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	16,705	65,769
Job satisfaction	5	4.14
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	44	50
Years of experience	4	2

What does a document controller do?

Document controllers take responsibility for controlling the day-to-day management of documents in a department or company. The controllers make sure that document management is accurate, efficient, and always on time. They do control numbers, sort, file, store, and retrieve hard copy and electronic documents. They ensure that the documents undergo legal, security, and regulatory compliance. The skills necessary for this job include computer software program proficiency, analytical experience, data organization knowledge, and typing skills.

What does an administrative assistant do?

Administrative assistants, or admin assistants, do general clerical and administrative activities. Their duties involve organizing and maintaining files and records, preparing documents, scheduling meetings and appointments, and providing general support in the office. Administrative assistants handle incoming and outgoing official correspondences, take minutes of important meetings and manage calls to the main office number. They also assist executives in providing structure to their day by managing their schedule, drafting e-mails, and other activities that executives may need assistance in. Administrative assistants should have the following skills: organizing, business writing, decision-making, and communication.

Document controller vs administrative assistant salary

Document controllers and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Document Controller	Administrative Assistant
Average salary	$41,157	$34,945
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $63,000	Between $26,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	Hayward, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Jacobs Engineering Group	Westfield State University
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between document controller and administrative assistant education

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

	Document Controller	Administrative Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Western Carolina University

Document controller vs administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between document controllers' and administrative assistants' demographics:

	Document Controller	Administrative Assistant
Average age	44	50
Gender ratio	Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%	Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	6%

Differences between document controller and administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Document controller example responsibilities.

Create and manage eRoom used to procure bid proposals from EPC companies for execution phase.
Manage & maintain central filing of all project documentation as per the GASCO document management system (LIVELINK).
Work closely with Dallas wireless data quality manager to achieve ISO certification for Dallas wireless data.
Manage quality of care improvement initiatives for patients and other mandate hospital standards through surveys and information sessions.
Create and implement the RFI process within the project.
Maintain log for RFI's (request for information )

Administrative assistant example responsibilities.

Manage time and attendance using Kronos software for entire department.
Participate in national projects, manage new customer conversions to MCI from other carriers.
Manage FEDEX delivery requirements ensuring compliance with company policy.
Manage and update social media outlets including Facebook and LinkedIn.
Manage company finances using QuickBooks software, including monitoring the operating budget and collecting on unpaid invoices.
Manage and develop the daily clinical schedule for the in-patient rehabilitation staff taking into consideration Medicare guidelines and staffing ratios.

Document controller vs administrative assistant skills

Common document controller skills

Project Procedures, 9%
Data Entry, 9%
SharePoint, 8%
Hard Copy, 7%
Computer Database, 7%
Project Management, 5%

Common administrative assistant skills

Customer Service, 14%
Data Entry, 11%
PowerPoint, 6%
Travel Arrangements, 5%
Database Management, 5%
Word Processing, 5%

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Document Controller vs Administrative Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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