Executive administrator vs executive director

The differences between executive administrators and executive directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an executive administrator and an executive director. Additionally, an executive director has an average salary of $127,956, which is higher than the $52,855 average annual salary of an executive administrator.

The top three skills for an executive administrator include powerpoint, customer service and expense reports. The most important skills for an executive director are oversight, patients, and customer service.

Executive administrator vs executive director overview

	Executive Administrator	Executive Director
Yearly salary	$52,855	$127,956
Hourly rate	$25.41	$61.52
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	141,235	97,471
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	4	4

What does an executive administrator do?

An executive administrator is responsible for assisting the senior management staff in planning strategies and analyzing business decisions to achieve the company's goals and objectives. Executive administrators schedule meetings and handle appointments, as well as helping with the implementation of training and programs for the employees to reach their maximum operational potential and increase productivity to meet projects' demands and ensure the highest customer satisfaction. They must have exceptional time-management and organizational skills, especially on performing administrative and clerical duties as needed, as well as excellent communication skills to respond to clients' inquiries, concerns, and requests.

What does an executive director do?

Executive directors are top management employees who usually function as a chief executive officer. This role is usually seen in non-profit organizations. Executive directors provide strategic direction to the organization, and they ensure that the organization's goals are actualized. They provide guidance to the employees and ensure that the employees have the organization's advocacies at the center of every project or program. They oversee the policies of the organization and create strategies that will bring the organization's programs forward. Executive directors are also responsible for making crucial decisions for the betterment of the organization.

Executive administrator vs executive director salary

Executive administrators and executive directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Executive Administrator	Executive Director
Average salary	$52,855	$127,956
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $77,000	Between $76,000 And $213,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	New York
Best paying company	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	Genentech
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between executive administrator and executive director education

There are a few differences between an executive administrator and an executive director in terms of educational background:

	Executive Administrator	Executive Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	University of Pennsylvania

Executive administrator vs executive director demographics

Here are the differences between executive administrators' and executive directors' demographics:

	Executive Administrator	Executive Director
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 14.8% Female, 85.2%	Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0%
Race ratio	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%	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	10%	10%

Differences between executive administrator and executive director duties and responsibilities

Executive administrator example responsibilities.

Manage grant funding from NIH, HRSA, and private foundations.
Manage on-site nursing services deliver to patients; oversee billing and supervise on-site personnel.
Manage day-to-day human resource functions: maintain HRIS database, conduct new employee orientation, and benefits administration.
Manage 200 staff personnel (145 FTE's), consisting of 15 classifications, two unions and exempt personnel.
Develop twitter marketing landing pages, manage and maintain social marketing sites, blogs, and constant contact marketing efforts.
Achieve JCAHO accreditation for ambulatory care facilities.

Executive director example responsibilities.

Manage 10 department heads who supervise a staff of 350 FTE's.
Develop and manage sales teams to assure the highest ROI on the client's investment.
Create and manage a call center for lead programs to support the prospecting activity needs of the FSR.
Freelance blogging to increase website views and ultimately to turn organic content into leads and ROI for small businesses.
Market and manage group and individual insurance programs including health, life, disability, long term care and annuities.
Major accomplishment are to achieve initial NAEYC accreditation.

Executive administrator vs executive director skills

Common executive administrator skills

PowerPoint, 10%
Customer Service, 9%
Expense Reports, 7%
Office Procedures, 6%
Payroll, 5%
Data Entry, 5%

Common executive director skills

Oversight, 10%
Patients, 9%
Customer Service, 5%
Financial Management, 5%
Business Development, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Executive Administrator
Executive Administrator vs Executive Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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