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The differences between executive assistant to chief executive officers 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 an executive assistant to chief executive officer, becoming an administrative assistant takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an executive assistant to chief executive officer has an average salary of $70,995, which is higher than the $34,945 average annual salary of an administrative assistant.
The top three skills for an executive assistant to chief executive officer include powerpoint, financial reports and calendar management. The most important skills for an administrative assistant are customer service, data entry, and powerpoint.
| Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer | Administrative Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $70,995 | $34,945 |
| Hourly rate | $34.13 | $16.80 |
| Growth rate | -8% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 10,371 | 65,769 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 4.14 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
The primary role of executive assistants to the chief executive officer (CEO) is to provide support to the CEO. They serve as the first point of connection for both external and internal constituencies on all affairs related to the CEO. They also serve as a liaison to senior management teams and board of directors. They have varied roles and responsibilities, which include planning and coordinating the CEO's schedule, communicating directly with board members, foundation and others, and completing important aspects of deliverables.
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.
Executive assistant to chief executive officers and administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average salary | $70,995 | $34,945 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $101,000 | Between $26,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Pure Storage | Westfield State University |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between an executive assistant to chief executive officer and an administrative assistant in terms of educational background:
| Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer | Administrative Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between executive assistant to chief executive officers' and administrative assistants' demographics:
| Executive Assistant To Chief Executive Officer | Administrative Assistant | |
| Average age | 49 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% | Male, 12.7% Female, 87.3% |
| 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, 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 | 10% | 6% |